Hawaii · The Aloha State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Hawaii state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Hawaii's official state song is “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī”, the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Aloha Comes Home”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Hawaii, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Hawaii
Modern Hawaiian pop with slack-key guitar, ukulele, soft island reggae beat, ocean-breeze harmonies and a gentle, joyful chorus
“Aloha Comes Home” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal · Modern Hawaiian pop with slack-key guitar.
Verse 1
Trade winds through the plumeria, the morning soft and slow
Diamond Head is waking up above the Waikīkī glow
Slack-key on a lanai, a grandmother's old song
Hawaii, you're the only place my heart has felt it belonged
Chorus
Aloha comes home on the warm Pacific air
Yellow hibiscus in your hair, the nēnē in the clear
From Mauna Kea's snow to the Nā Pali green
Hawaii, you're the kindest land I've ever seen
Verse 2
Kīlauea paints the night with rivers made of flame
Humpbacks breach off Maui like they're calling out your name
Poke bowls and shave ice and a pau hana at the shore
The land lives on in righteousness, and I'm yours forevermore
Chorus
Aloha comes home on the warm Pacific air
Yellow hibiscus in your hair, the nēnē in the clear
From Mauna Kea's snow to the Nā Pali green
Hawaii, you're the kindest land I've ever seen
Bridge
Mahalo for the morning, mahalo for the sea
Hawaii, every wave of you is calling out to me
Chorus
Aloha comes home on the warm Pacific air
Yellow hibiscus in your hair, the nēnē in the clear
From Mauna Kea's snow to the Nā Pali green
Hawaii, you're the kindest land I've ever seen
About “Aloha Comes Home”
Hawaii's song is modern island pop: slack-key guitar, ukulele and a soft reggae-tinged beat, the sound of a Honolulu radio station. It travels from Diamond Head and Waikīkī to Mauna Kea's snow, Kīlauea's lava and the Nā Pali coast of Kauaʻi.
The nēnē goose and yellow hibiscus are the state bird and flower, and the second verse paraphrases the state motto. Hawaii's official song, "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī", was written by King Kalākaua in 1876 and is the only state song that was once a national anthem.
Places and symbols in the song
- Diamond Head
- Waikīkī
- Mauna Kea
- Kīlauea volcano
- the Nā Pali coast
- Nēnē (Hawaiian goose)
- Yellow hibiscus (pua aloalo)
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of Hawaii
- Title
- “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī”
- Written by
- words by King David Kalākaua, music by Henri Berger
- Status
- the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967
Written by a reigning king, it is the only US state song that was once a national anthem; it is still sung at the start of many public events.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
Hawaii at a glance
- Nickname
- The Aloha State
- Capital
- Honolulu
- Largest city
- Honolulu
- Statehood
- August 21, 1959 (50th state)
- Motto
- Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)
- State bird
- Nēnē (Hawaiian goose)
- State flower
- Yellow hibiscus (pua aloalo)
- Official state song
- "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" (the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967)
Questions about Hawaii's state song
What is the official state song of Hawaii?
The official state song of Hawaii is "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī", words by King David Kalākaua, music by Henri Berger, the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967. Written by a reigning king, it is the only US state song that was once a national anthem; it is still sung at the start of many public events.
Is "Aloha Comes Home" the official state song of Hawaii?
No. "Aloha Comes Home" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Hawaii. The official state song is "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī", the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Aloha Comes Home" about?
Hawaii's song is modern island pop: slack-key guitar, ukulele and a soft reggae-tinged beat, the sound of a Honolulu radio station. It travels from Diamond Head and Waikīkī to Mauna Kea's snow, Kīlauea's lava and the Nā Pali coast of Kauaʻi. It names Diamond Head, Waikīkī, Mauna Kea, Kīlauea volcano and the Nā Pali coast, with the state bird (nēnē (hawaiian goose)) and state flower (yellow hibiscus (pua aloalo)) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" and when was it adopted?
"Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" is credited to words by King David Kalākaua, music by Henri Berger; it was the kingdom's anthem from 1876, adopted as the state song in 1967. Written by a reigning king, it is the only US state song that was once a national anthem; it is still sung at the start of many public events.
What are Hawaii's state symbols?
Hawaii is nicknamed The Aloha State. Its capital is Honolulu and its largest city is Honolulu. It joined the Union on August 21, 1959 (50th state). The state motto is "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)", the state bird is the nēnē (hawaiian goose) and the state flower is the yellow hibiscus (pua aloalo).
Can I play or share "Aloha Comes Home"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Hawaii, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about Hawaii?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Honolulu, HI") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.