Whether you’re planning a trip to Hawaii soon or just looking for an amazing Instagram caption for your vacation photos, I’ve got you covered. As someone who’s explored Hawaii many times firsthand, I understand the desire for the perfect words to capture the essence of these islands.
In fact, the islands have inspired famous quotes from acclaimed actors, authors, politicians, musicians, and surfers over the years. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy these 60+ Hawaiian quotes, sayings, proverbs, and Instagram captions!
Table of Contents
Famous quotes about Hawaii
Inspirational quotes about Hawaii
“Whether a visitor or kama‘aina (resident), the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands inspires the heart and mind.”
— Anonymous
“Hawaii is the island of big dreams for both islanders and guests. Those dreams born in paradise can indeed come true.”
― Sharon Linnéa
“Hawaii is like an isolated jewel set in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. And like facets of a gem, the islands have their own unique qualities. Travelers who take the time to look beyond their obvious beauty will discover a chain of islands that is at once lush and stark, modern and ancient, simple and exotic.”
― Rita Ariyoshi
“Hawaii is still the single most frequent fantasy destination, not because of political stability or conveniences, but because Hawaii seduces the imagination. It’s the perfect postcard, no props, no fillers.”
― Robert Wintner
“Everywhere I went in the wild corners of Hawaii, I found that the biology was as astonishing as the beauty. The landscapes have value beyond the enchantment of a waterfall or the surreal drama of an expanse of slick rock with bits of green life taking hold. Exploring these islands intrigues the mind and stirs the imagination, for nature in Hawaii is at her most inventive and extravagant best.”
― Cynthia Russ Ramsay
“Hawai’i is the only place in the fifty states where you can see the stars of the entire northern and southern hemispheres. Here, stars that can’t be seen from the mainland are visible, along with stars that aren’t visible from Australia.”
― John Richard Stephens
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Quotes on Hawaii from famous people
“I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness, and the memory of it will remain with me always.”
― Mark Twain
“I have always been proud to have been born in Hawaii.”
— Barack Obama
“I can’t even speak Hawaiian, but if you go there and listen to a Hawaiian song, you get captured because it’s so beautiful, like the melody is just gorgeous and you know Bob Marley is on the radio every single day. It’s very reggae-influenced down there. Basically, you haven’t been to paradise if you haven’t been to Hawaii.”
― Bruno Mars
“Hawaii is paradise. It sounds cheesy to say it, but there’s music in the air there.”
― Bruno Mars
“The beauty of Hawaii probably surpasses other places. I like the Big Island and the two mountains, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, where you can look out at the stars.”
— Buzz Aldrin
“Growing up here in Hawaii, I loved swimming, surfing, and having fun in this paradise we are lucky to call home. But I gradually realized that I was actually happiest when I was doing things for other people, doing things to protect our water, oceans, and beaches.”
— Tulsi Gabbard
“Most of what Hawaii has to offer is no secret. Pipeline is probably the most famous wave in the world.”
― Kelly Slater
“Kauai is kind of my place where I go to get centered. It’s always my place to come back and feel normal again.”
— Alana Blanchard
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Funny quotes on Hawaii
“Hawaii is the only place I know where they lay flowers on you while you are alive.”
— Will Rogers
“Chasing kids on the beach and sleeping is the closest I come to exercising while in Hawaii.”
— Adam Scott
“Hawaii can be heaven and it can be hell.”
— Jeff Goldblum
“I grew up in a musical family; the majority of my growing up was done in Hawaii. It’s what we do. You sing, you dance, you play ukulele and you drink.”
― Dwayne Johnson
“Any frequent visitor to Hawaii is fixated on mapping how the islands have changed since their last visit.”
― Hanya Yanagihara
“Being in Hawaii, it’s almost impossible not to be fit, I think.”
― Henry Ian Cusick
“No one has family in Hawaii. Everyone is family in Hawaii.”
―Richie Norton
“At the end of the world the sunset is like a child smashing a pack of crayons into God’s face.”
―Craig Stone
“Hawai’i has often been called a melting pot, but I think of it more as a ‘mixed plate’–a scoop of rice with gravy, a scoop of macaroni salad, a piece of mahi-mahi, and a side of kimchi.”
―Alan Brennert
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Quotes about Hawaiian culture & history
These special quotes from Hawaii share about the islands’ culture, covering topics likehula, the concept ofaloha, and more. We’ll begin with one of our favorites, from the last king of theKingdom of Hawaiʻi:
“Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.”
― King David Kalakaua
“We, the Hawaiian people, who are born from the union of Papahanaumoku and Wakea, earth mother and sky father, and who have lived in these islands for over 100 generations, will always have the moral right to the lands of Hawai’i now and forever, no matter what any court says.”
― Lilikalā K. Kame’eleihiwa
“In Hawaii, we have something called Ho’oponopono, where people come together to resolve crises and restore peace and balance.”
— Duane Chapman
“Nature is where it all begins for the Hawaiians. In fact, they call themselves keiki o ka aina ‘children of the land’.”
— M.J. Harden
“Hawaiian music is the roots for the Hawaiian people. It tells the history of where we came from. Not having Hawaiian music in my life would be like losing half of my body— because Hawaiian music helps me to be a better person.”
— Kevin Brown
“Even the sweetness of a freshly cut pineapple from Hawaii is a sermon.”
— J. A. Medders
“Incredible as it might seem, Hawaii is like a gigantic raft, drifting slowly with the centuries.”
— Terence Barrow
“Hawaiian English is like kahiko, the ancient dance, the kanaka dance of tradition, she says, harsh moves, slaps, and full of pounding force.”
―Garrett Hongo
“The history of Hawaii may be said to be the story of arrivals.”
― Susanna Moore
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Hawaii quotes about aloha
“You don’t have to live in Hawaii – or even be Hawaiian – to embrace the Aloha Spirit. Aloha can be found in the most surprising places at the most unlikely times. You just have to have an open heart and mind to recognize it!”
— Mark Ellman
“Aloha consists of this new attitude of heart, above negativism, above legalism. It is the unconditional desire to promote the true good of other people in a friendly spirit, out of a sense of kinship. Aloha seeks to do good, with no conditions attached.”
— Reverend Dr. Abraham Akaka
“That greeting is Aloha – love, I love you, my love to you. Good day – what is it more than an impersonal remark about the weather? How do you do – it is personal in a merely casual interrogative sort of way. But Aloha! It is a positive affirmation of the warmth of one’s own heart-giving. My love to you! I love you! Aloha!”
— Jack London
“For those who make Hawaii their home, aloha means much more than a hello and good-bye greeting. It goes way back to the old Hawaiian traditions, and it means a mutual regard and affection of one person for another without any expectation of something in return. Translation: it means you do something from the pureness of your heart.”
— Bethany Hamilton
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Hawaii quotes for Instagram captions
We’ve listed our favorite Hawaii travel quotes to use for your Instagram captions below. These quotes are short and sweet and will work perfectly for all of your beautiful vacation photos!
“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
― Lilo and Stitch
“Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.”
— Paul Theroux
“For me, the magic of Hawaii comes from the stillness, the sea, the stars.”
— Joanne Harris
“The only good thing about leaving Hawai’i is that you really appreciate it when you return.”
― John Richard Stephens
“Coming to Hawai’i is like going from black and white to color.”
― John Richard Stephens
“I would rather live one day in Maui than one month in New York.”
— Charles Lindbergh
“I believe Hawaii is the most precious jewel in the world.”
― Don Ho
“Hawaii is paradise born of fire.”
― Rand McNally
“The loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean.”
― Mark Twain
“Beating the drums for Hawaii is not hard to do – the place just grows on you.”
― James MacArthur
“Aloha Hawaii, goodbye snow.”
―Steven Magee
“I left my heart in Hawaii.”
― Anonymous
“Hawaii is the land of everyday rainbows.”
― Anonymous
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Hawaiian proverbs
Hawaiian proverbs (ʻŌlelo noʻeau) hold significant importance in native Hawaiian culture, passed down through generations and still taught to children today. Next to the English translation of each Hawaiian proverb, we also include the original Hawaiian saying.
“A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others/ Ku’ia kahele aka na’au ha’aha’a.”
“Love all you see, including yourself/ Kahuna Nui Hale Kealohalani Makua.”
“Dare to dance, leave shame at home// A’a i ka hula, waiho i ka maka’u i ka hale.”
“Love gives life within// Ua ola loko i ke aloha.”
“No kind deed has ever lacked its reward// `A`ohe lokomaika`i i nele i ke pâna`i.”
“Live your life while the sun is still shining. // Oi kau ka lau, e hana I ola honua.”
“Distance is ignored by love. // ‘A ‘ohe loa i ka hana a ke aloha.”
“Everybody paddle the canoes together; bail and paddle, paddle and bail, and the shore will be reached.//E lauhoe mai na wa’a; i ke ka, i ka hoe; i ka hoe, i ke ka; pae aku i ka ‘aina.”
“No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed// ‘A’ohe pu’u ki’eki’e ke ho’ā’o‘ia e pi’i.”
“It is natural for people to behave in a loving way// Ua Kuluma Ke Kanaka I Ke Aloha.”
“Love is like a cleansing dew// He kehau ho`oma`ema`e ke aloha.”
“All knowledge is not learned in just one school.// ‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.”
“After all, Hawaii is the best land.// O Hawaii no ka aina maikai.”
“Joy is in the voice of love.//He ‘olina leo ka ke aloha.”
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Beautiful Hawaiian sayings & phrases
“May there always be Tradewinds behind you, Rainbows above you, and Aloha all around you.”
— Kauai Blessing
“Be the Aloha you wish to see in the world.”
― Anonymous
“May there always be warmth in your Hale, fish in your net, and Aloha in your heart.”
― Hawaiian blessing
“Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha.”
― Hawaiian saying
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This article was first published in March 2022 and has since been updated.
