Opening up the Ka’au Crater Boys Valley Style album is a blistering rendition of the traditional Hawaiian song Noho Pai Pai, a.k.a. The Rocking Chair Hula... Yup, really naughty song if you understand the Kauna( Hidden meaning). Lol! This song features 3 ukulele solos increasing in difficulty as ...

Here’s one that got me into Del Beazley! I remember seeing him play this live with Dwight Kanae. Del and Dwight are a big part of me getting into music. This song, Sassafrass is a fun one to learn. Don’t forget to check out Del Beazley!

Awhile back I did a chord-melody arrangement of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for the hawaiimusicsupply YouTube channel. That was a version that I would teach to students interested in chord-melody arranging. I presently teach Ukulele at an Elementary School where the students are just beginning to...

Another classic from the legendary Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, White Sandy Beach combines a gentle melody with a surprising(considering how smooth it sounds) amount of picking hand technique. This one is extremely satisfying to play while kicking back and enjoying some R&R! Aloha!

One of those classic songs that hits you right in the feels because of it poignant simplicity, Crazy Love from Van Morrison has long been a staple for solo acoustic artists everywhere. The playing is the easy part, as capturing that live in the moment nostalgia (oxymoron enough?) is what set apar...

If you ever needed an example of “Making the song your own”, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole playing Somewhere over the Rainbow has to be it! He took an iconic song and made it just as iconic to a whole new generation and demographic. It’s hard for anyone to say that Braddah Iz didn’t “own” this one. There...

Kaleohano, a name meaning the voice of authority and respect, is the title of a song written by Louis Moon Kauakahi. The song was made popular by the late Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and by the Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau. I love this song because of the way Israel delivers it. It reminds me of the purity o...

I’ve always been fascinated with those old hapa-haole, technicolor sounding swing jazz-Hawaiian songs. They’re funny, lewd, crude and totally inappropriate in most situations, which makes them the perfect songs to play over some drinks with close friends... here’s one of those lewd, offensive son...

Popularly recorded by Braddah Iz, and more recently Hawaii’s rising star, Blayne Asing, Ka na’i aupuni is one of my favorite mele to play at Kanikapila. According to Huapala.org, Ka na’i aupuni was composed in 1906.The song honors the great chiefs of the islands. Keawe of Hawaiʻi, Piʻilani who ru...

Olomana, comprised of Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont, is widely considered to be one of Hawaii’s most iconic musical duos. One of their biggest hits was "Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u". Having spent part of my childhood growing up in Waiahole Valley and even to this day being a regular patron (along wit...

Ka Ipo Lei Manu also known as Ipo Lei Manu is a song that hits most Hawaiians right in the heart. Penned by Queen Kapi’olani, for her Husband, King David Kalakaua, who had traveled to the mainland under the advisement of his Doctors, as a love song... but later changed to a song of mourning as sh...

Kaneohe is an often played Hawaiian mele that talks about a love affair. In Hawaiian music, there is usually a hidden meaning. The song was written in celebration of Kaneohe getting electricity, but you know the connection there...electricity...love affair. Lol! Often sung in the Hawaiian falsett...

Kaula ‘ili is one of the first songs that I learned to play on the guitar. The version that I learned was from the legendary Hawaiian Cowboy, Sonny Chillingworth. He told the story of a Cowboy who fell into a lava tube and thought his life was over. I have also read that the song is about the wro...

Written by Living Legend Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt, Ka Pilina is a romantic Hawaiian song about a woman attended by native Hawaiian birds that are singing beautifully. It speaks of intimacy between two lovers. Made popular by Sean Na’auao, Ka Pilina is sure to be recognized by any fan of Hawa...

Ahhh yes. Ei Nei. If you are playing a wedding, this song is just as important as the Hawaiian Wedding Song here in the islands. Written by local legend Lina Machado for her husband, this is truly one of the most beautiful Hawaiian Mele around.

The Hukilau Song is one of those Hapa-Haole swing songs that everybody knows the words to. Sure to be a hit with the other players at your local Kanikapila, you really want to have this one in your repertoire! One of the ukulele anthems for sure!

This is a fun beginner song for ukulele. "Sassy Little Mynah Bird" is one of those rare kid-friendly tunes that get stuck in your head. Don't be surprised if you find yourself humming this tune on your morning drive days later. Lol! Good luck!

Rusty Old Steampipes is one of those Kanikapila songs that are almost guaranteed to get the whole group singing along with you if you're here in Hawaii! The first time I heard this song was on The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau album Unforgettable. My Grandma had the CD in her car, and I stole it because...

From the moment I decided that I wanted to play music, I knew that the songs I liked best were the ones with a message that made me think. Here we learn one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists. Redemption Song by Bob Marley challenges us to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery....

Widely known as one of the "Essentials" in "Local-kine" Hawaiian music, Drop Baby Drop by Mana'o Company is sure to be well received at any Kanikapila. The way that it is presented here is not how the recorded version is... this is more like the way I choose to play it. My hope is that you learn ...

When I was growing up Pandanus was THE "Jam Session" song. Everyone played it differently, but the bones of the song (the "head" to my fellow jazz aficionados) always remained the same. mistahukulele808 (Sid) took the licks from the guitar (from the most popular recording of this song) and arrang...

One of the many Hawaiian Songs that, no matter where I am, instantly brings me back home, Holei has been played and recorded by just about everyone! I love the chord changes and the melody of this song. The simple melody line combined with the chords make it a good song for beginners and intermed...

A modern classic from Hawaiian legend John Cruz, Island Style evokes memories of the Hawaiian way of living. The lyrics reflect a way of life that Locals continue to perpetuate to this day. Here's just one way to play this great song. Remember to make it your own.

Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua has been recorded by tons of Hawaiian musicians throughout the years. It's one of those songs that everyone puts their own spin on. Here's an easy way to play it. Please forgive my poor pronunciation and forgotten lyrics!