Best Hawaiian ukulele songs for beginners

Most instruments take months or even years of practice to produce beautiful tunes. However, the ukulele is one of the easiest instruments for beginners to start their musical journey. All you need is a ukulele and a pocket ukulele tuner, and you can play countless Hawaiian ukulele songs. In fact, ukulele chords are much easier to learn since a typical ukulele has only four strings, allowing you to start playing some of the most beautiful songs with just three chords!

Many ukulele players fell in love with the instrument because of Hawaiian ukulele songs. These songs, with their wide array of styles, are perfect for beginners to practice with their ukuleles.

If you are a beginner wondering which Hawaiian song to start with, this article covers some of the best Hawaiian ukulele songs for beginners, featuring varying degrees of difficulty and different chords.

1. “Aloha Oe,” by Queen Liliuokalani

Source: Homey Hawaii

The first song on our list is “Aloha Oe” by Queen Liliuokalani. It features only four chords: C, F, G7, and C7, and has a slow tempo, making it ideal for beginners. The serene melody of “Aloha Oe” makes playing it feel intuitive as you follow the tune's pace with the right chords.

This song is part of Hawaii's heritage, written by the last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani, as a farewell to Hawaii's independence before it became part of the U.S.A.

2. “Ku'u home O Kahalu'u,” by Olomana

Source: SoundCloud

The second song on our list is “Ku'u home O Kahalu'u” by Olomana, which has only three chords: C, F, and G7. This song is great for beginners, featuring a simple yet haunting melody. The song’s simplicity does not detract from its beauty, as its serene tunes carry a lot of emotional weight.

“Ku'u home O Kahalu'u” translates to “My home is Kahalu'u,” and reflects the yearning of a boy for his home in Kahalu'u, a residential community on the island of Oahu. The song's beautiful lyrics evoke nostalgia and emotional struggle.

3. “Island Style,” by John Cruz

Source: SoundCloud

John Cruz delivers a hit with “Island Style,” which is great for beginners and features only three chords: C, F, and G7. This iconic Hawaiian ukulele song allows beginners to connect emotionally with the different tunes and melodies a ukulele can produce.

“Island Style” can also inspire ukulele beginners to explore different harmonies by adding their own touches to the beautiful melody.

4. “Someone to Lava,” by Kuana Torres Kahle

Source: Scribd

“Someone to Lava” is a more recent addition to our list, featuring three simple chords: C, G7, and F. This catchy Hawaiian ukulele song is great for beginners, with a simple beat that feels intuitive while singing the lyrics.

The song's upbeat tune and romantic lyrics create a serene atmosphere wherever it is played. “Someone to Lava” tells the story of a volcano praying to the earth, sea, and sky for someone to “lava” from the bottom of its magma.

5. “Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas Song” by Bing Crosby

Source: Spotify

Next, we have “Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas Song” by Bing Crosby, which features five chords: G, D7, E, C, and A7. This song is perfect for beginners to learn during the holiday season, spreading Christmas joy wherever it is played.

“Mele Kalikimaka” literally means “Merry Christmas.” Robert Alex Anderson originally wrote the song in 1949, with the earliest recording traced back to 1950, performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.

6. “Over the Rainbow,” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo'ole

Source: Wikipedia

It would be incomplete to discuss Hawaiian ukulele songs without mentioning “Over the Rainbow.” This song, by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo'ole, has inspired many to pick up the ukulele. Although it is a bit more advanced with six chords: C, G, Am, F, E7, and Dm7, it is worth learning for its serene lyrics and melody.

“Over the Rainbow” is a medley that beautifully combines “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland and “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. The song was originally recorded in 1988 in Hawaii.

7. “E Huli Makou,” by David Chung

The final song on our list is “E Huli Makou” by David Chung, which is straightforward and fun to play. It features only three chords: G7, C7, and F, which you can tune using pocket ukulele chords. This song is fantastic for beginners who love to liven up the atmosphere with their music.

David Chung originally composed “E Huli Makou” for a Hawaiian show in 1949, and it was performed by his fellow employees at the old Kona Inn, where he worked as a bellhop earning 26 cents an hour.