Music has always been an important part of life in Hawaii, and locals use it to celebrate aloha 'aina (love of the land). Hawaii's music is as different from its culture. Ancient mele chants tell stories about gods and early missionary hymns. There are also Jawaiian reggae as well as ukulele songs. We've gathered a list of the 10 best Hawaiian songs to prepare you for your trip to the Aloha State.

Aloha 'Oe

I had to begin this list with the most well-known Hawaiian song, written by Queen Liliuokalani, the last queen of Hawaii. She first wrote Aloha 'Oe when she was riding a horse and saw two people hug and say goodbye to each other. This version of Aloha 'Oe is my favorite.

But this song got the most attention when she was locked up in her house during the annexation of Hawaii. She said goodbye to her people with this song. The words and music of her song show how sad she is. This song is from the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch so kids will know it. Nani sings this song to Lilo. It's among the most famous songs from Hawaii and a great example of traditional Hawaiian music.

Hawaii Aloha

This is likely the most crucial song to come out of Hawaii. Because the whole point is to bring people together, it was authored by a missionary named Lorenzo Lyons, and it uses the tune of the hymn, I Left It All With Jesus. This album has a great cover of Hawaii Aloha.

At the end of events, parties, celebrations, etc., people usually hold hands and sing "Hawaii Aloha." It's always very popular. Not just in Hawaii, either. You can attend a Hawaiian cultural event anywhere in the world or pay heed to live Hawaiian music. You will probably sing "Hawaii Aloha" together at the event's culmination.

Hawaiian War Chant

The first thing is that this is not a chant. As well as the original version is a love song. This is a well-known hula song where the dancer uses hula tools (like split bamboo or feather rattles). One of the songs on this album is the Hawaiian War Chant.

Even though the song is written in both English but rather Hawaiian, you'll usually only hear the Hawaiian version. This song is often played at free hula shows in Hawaii. As the song continues, the melody speeds up, making it a show-stopping number. If you like Disney, you will know this song from the attraction called "The Enchanted Tiki Room."

Pearly shells or tiny bubbles

Don Ho was a well-known Hawaiian musician in the 1960s. He used it to perform in Waikiki, and that made him famous all over the world. Although these Don Ho songs are all different, I put them on the same list because they all have the same tune and are sometimes played as a medley.

We did have this Don Ho record when we were kids. People often use the song Pearly Shells to learn how and where to hula dance. The words are easy to understand, and the hand motions are easy to copy.

Blue Hawaii

Elvis Presley adored Hawaii and made a few movies there you didn't already know. Blue Hawaii is probably the most well-known of these, and the title song is one of the most well-known songs of all time. This Blue Hawaii album by Elvis Presley is well-known. It's the kind of song you'll hear in almost every bar in Hawaii, especially if there is live music. It's a favorite among people over the age of 50.

Hawaiian Wedding Song

Even though this song was written in the 1920s, Elvis Presley's 1961 movie Blue Hawaii made it a hit. Bing Crosby and Andy Williams made their song versions and released them. This well-known song is mostly in English, but one verse is in Hawaiian. The Hawaiian Wedding Song is great for weddings and other special occasions.

It's a very famous song to play at weddings, as the name might suggest. This song is played at luaus in Hawaii for people who just got married, are on their honeymoon, or are celebrating an anniversary. Elvis Presley made it popular, but many Hawaiian artists have also recorded it.

Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai

This traditional Hawaiian song became very popular after the group Hapa recorded it. They added their unique ending to Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai. At first glance, it looks like it's about getting seaweed from the ocean.

But Hawaiian songs often have hidden meanings, and this one is about how various sorts of seaweed are like different lovers. Almost all hula dancers know at least one version of this song, and it's played at many cultural events in Hawaii. Many well-known Hawaiian singers also sing Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai.

Hawaii Roller Coaster Ride

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride is from the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch. If you have kids as well as watch Disney movies with them, you will know it. It happens when Lilo is swimming in the ocean at the movie's beginning. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride is likely the song on this album that kids like the most.

It's also played on the Disney Pandora station. This song is special because it was recorded by hula teacher and musician Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus. All the songs are about surfing, like a roller coaster ride in Hawaii.

My Little Grass Shack

Many people think of Hapa Haole music from the 1930s and 1940s when they think of Hawaiian music. Back in Hackensack, New Jersey was a popular song in the 1920s. My Little Grass Shack was written as a joke about that song. But after many changes and adding local flavor, it became a famous song in Hawaii.

This is a great Hawaiian album from the past. This old Hawaiian song is about Kealakekua Bay, just on the Big Island of Hawaii. If you drive through the town, you can't help but think of this song. In My Little Grass Shack, someone misses the Big Island and everything that makes it unique.

I’ll Remember You

Almost every time this song comes on, it makes me cry. Most of the time, that's because it's often played at funerals or to remember someone who has died. This song was made famous by both Don Ho and Elvis Presley. But there are many other hauntingly beautiful versions.

I'll Remember You is on another Don Ho album. The song's background is also sad. Ever since his wife left him, Kui Lee wrote the song. Later, he got cancer and passed away young. It's among the most beautiful and sad songs you'll hear from Hawaii.