Bands & Musicians in Hawaii
Hawaii is the birthplace of the steel guitar, slack-key guitar, and ukulele, instruments that shaped Hawaiian music and influenced mainland genres. Traditional chant and hula exist alongside contemporary artists like Israel Kamakawiwoole. Local scenes blend native traditions with reggae, folk, and pop across the archipelago.
140 cities in Hawaii
Page 1 of 7Urban Honolulu
Population 348,547
Urban Honolulu blends traditional Hawaiian music, reggae, and island contemporary sounds, from nightly Waikiki hotel and lounge sets to indie and local bills in Chinatown and Kakaako.
East Honolulu
Population 49,491
Hilo
Population 47,627
Pearl City
Population 46,812
Waipahu
Population 39,873
Kaneohe
Population 35,493
Kahului
Population 27,233
Ewa Gentry
Population 27,198
Kihei
Population 22,247
Mililani Mauka
Population 21,546
Mililani Town
Population 21,546
Kailua
Population 21,449
Makakilo
Population 21,055
Schofield Barracks
Population 18,133
Wahiawa
Population 17,400
A central Oahu plantation town where church choirs, ukulele circles, and school bands carry the music, with island-style gatherings in neighborhood parks and Honolulu gigs a drive south.
Wailuku
Population 16,590
A coastal Maui town where Hawaiian music, church choirs, and community gatherings carry local performance. School recitals and park pavilion shows fill the calendar, with Kahului gigs close by.
Ocean Pointe
Population 16,173
A planned Ewa Plain community in the Kapolei area where school programs, churches, and park gatherings feature ukulele and Hawaiian music, while touring acts stay in Honolulu and Waikiki.
Ewa Beach
Population 15,167
A residential community on Oahu's leeward coast where Hawaiian music, church worship, and school bands reflect family life, with Honolulu's venues a drive east.
Halawa
Population 14,411
An Oahu suburb where school bands, church choirs, and acoustic nights at local bars shape the music, with Honolulu's island reggae and pop scene close by.
Waimalu
Population 13,932
Waimalu is a residential Oahu community where Hawaiian traditions, school bands, and church music shape local performance, with Honolulu stages a short trip east.
Scene guide
Know Hawaii
Hawaii invented the steel guitar and slack-key guitar and popularized the ukulele, instruments that carried island music to mainland audiences in the early twentieth century. Honolulu's recording scene flourished, and the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s revived traditional chant and language through artists like Gabby Pahinui. Jawaiian reggae and island pop now anchor local radio alongside hula and folk traditions.
FAQ
Common questions about the Hawaii music scene
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest news and updates.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
