60+ Quotes About Hawaii & Proverbs From The Rainbow State

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We have always admired the Hawaiian culture

It’s one that’s deeply rooted in a love for nature, other people and living with the ‘Aloha Spirit’, which is to live with one’s mind and heart in balance with one another and to think positively and show positive feelings to others.

This is why we were especially excited to collect all our favourite quotes about Hawaii and beautiful Hawaiian proverbs in one place for you.

Whether you want to use these Hawaiian quotes as Instagram captions or you simply love Hawaiian sayings just as much as us, then we hope you love reading the 67 quotes about Hawaii below. 

Inspirational Quotes About Hawaii & Beautiful Hawaiian Proverbs

Halona Beach Cove

“Hawaii is paradise born of fire.”

– Rand McNally

“Hawaii is paradise. It sounds cheesy to say it, but there’s music in the air there.”

– Bruno Mars

“Hawaii is the land of everyday rainbows.”

– Anon

“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] the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean.” 

– Mark Twain

“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

“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 

Hawaii Volcanic Crater

“I believe Hawaii is the most precious jewel in the world.”

– Don Ho

“Whether a visitor or kama’aina (resident), the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands inspires the heart and mind.”     

– Anon

“For me the magic of Hawaii comes from the stillness, the sea, the stars.”     

– Joanne Harris

“Hawaii is the island of big dreams for both islanders and guests. Those dreams born in paradise can indeed come true.”

– Sharon Linnea

“Live your life while the sun is still shining. / Oi kau ka lau, e hana I ola honua.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“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. Travellers 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 the only place I know where they lay flowers on you while you are alive.”

– Will Rogers

Hawaiian Hibiscus Flowers

“After all, Hawaii is the best land. / O Hawaii no ka aina maikai.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“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

“Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.” 

– Paul Theroux

“In Hawaii, we have something called Ho’oponopono, where people come together to resolve crises and restore peace and balance.” 

– Duane Chapman

“Hawaii is absolutely beautiful.”

– Rachelle Lefevre

“If you look at a map, you see that Hawaii is in the middle of nowhere. It’s 17 hours of straight flying from London. It’s very far away, and sometimes you feel as if you’re on another planet. But I like that. Also, that’s ideal for writing.”

– Paul Theroux

“I left my heart in Hawaii.”

– Anon

Byodo-In Temple, Hawaii

“A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others. / Ku’ia kahele aka na’au ha’aha’a.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“Always make every person, place or condition better than you left it. / E hele me ka pu’olo.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“The only good thing about leaving Hawaii is that you really appreciate it when you return.”

– John Richard Stephens

“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 filters.”

– Robert Wintner

“Hawaii is the only place in the fifty states where you can see the stars of the entire northern and southern hemispheres.”

– John Richard Stephens

Mauna Kea Sunset

“I thought my book was done, then we went to Hawaii and the whole last chapter happened.” 

– Mariel Hemingway

“Chasing kids on the beach and sleeping is the closest I come to exercising while in Hawaii.” 

– Adam Scott

“No alien land in all the world has any deep strong charm for me but that one (Maui), no other land could so longingly and so beseechingly haunt me, sleeping and waking, through half a lifetime, as that one has done. Other things leave me, but it abides; other things change, but it remains the same. For me the balmy airs are always blowing, its summer seas flashing in the sun; the pulsing of its surfbeat is in my ear; I can see its garlanded crags, its leaping cascades, its plumy palms drowsing by the shore, its remote summits floating like islands above the cloud wrack; I can feel the spirit of its wildland solitudes, I can hear the splash of its brooks; in my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago.” 

– Mark Twain

“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

“Kauai is my place where I go to get centred. It’s always my place to come back and feel normal again.”

– Alana Blanchard

“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

Aloha Quotes & Hawaiian Phrases About Love

Feeding birds at Byodo-In Temple

If you want to tell someone how much you love them or are looking for beautiful Hawaii captions for couples, then take a look at these aloha sayings and Hawaiian phrases about love…

“Aloha is the unconditional desire to promote the true good of other people in a friendly spirit out of a sense of kinship.”

– Abraham Akaka

“Joy is in the voice of love. / He ‘olina leo ka ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“Love gives life within. / Ua ola loko i ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“Aloha Au Ia ‘Oe / I Love You.”

“Be one in love. I ho’okahi kahi ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“The growth of love is the essence within the soul.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“When love is given, love should be returned, anger gives no life. / Aloha mai no, aloha aku; o ka huhu ka mea e ola `ole ai.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“A heart as big as a house. / He ‘opu halau.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“The Lehua blossom unfolds when the rains tread on it. / I mohala no ka lehua i ke ke’ekehi ‘ia e ka ua.”

– Hawaiian saying meaning: People respond better to gentle words than angry ones.

“You don’t have to live in Hawaii – or even be Hawaiian – to embrace the Aloha Spirit.”

– Mark Ellman

“May there always be Tradewinds behind you, Rainbows above you, and Aloha all Around you.” 

– Kauai Blessing

“May there Always be Warmth in your Hale (House), Fish in your Net, and Aloha in your Heart.” 

– Hawaiian Blessing

“Be the Aloha you wish to see in the world.” 

– Anon

“Love all you see including yourself. / Kahuna nui hale kealohalani makua.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“May our love last forever. / E hoomau maua kealoha.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“Distance is ignored by love. / ‘A ‘ohe loa i ka hana a ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“There is life in a kind reply. / Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“It is natural for people to behave in a loving way. / Ua kuluma ke kanaka i ke aloha.”

– Hawaiian Saying

Ohana Quotes & Hawaiian Phrases About Family

Love birds in Hawaii

“Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.”

– From Disney’s Lilo and Stitch

“Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“Hawaii is a beautiful place to bring up a family.”

– Henry Ian Cusick

Hawaiian Sayings About The Sea & Gnarly Surfing Quotes

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

“The sea is very calm. All is very peaceful. / La’i lua ke kai.”

– Hawaiian Proverb

“If you want to surf, move to hawaii. If you like to shop, move to New York. If you like acting and Hollywood, move to California. But if you like college football, move to Texas.”     

– Ricky Williams

“Most of what Hawaii has to offer is no secret. Pipeline is probably the most famous wave in the world.”

– Kelly Slater

“Growing up here in Hawaii, I loved swimming, surfing and having fun in this paradise we are lucky to call home. But I gradually realised that I was actually happiest when I was doing things for other people, doing things to protect our water, oceans and beaches.”

– Tulsi Gabbard

“I love to surf. Hawaii has some of the best waves in the world and the most consistent as well. That’s always fun.”

–  Brendon Urie

“Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” 

– Van Morrison

“My best vacation memory is getting barreled at the beach in Hawaii.” 

– Troy Polamalu

“For me personally, snorkelling in a cove in Hawaii, floating along, and looking at all the animals and the colours – I mean, that’s pretty peaceful.” 

– Stephen Hillenburg

“In the beginning, there was only ocean.” 

– From Disney’s Moana

“Cross the sea like a bird. / ‘Au i ke kai me he manu ala.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“Die in the ocean and his corpse will float ashore on Lanai. / Make auanei i ka moana a pae kupapau i Lanai.”

– Hawaiian Saying

“The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun.”

– Phil Edwards

“Big waves aren’t measured in feet, but in increments of fear.”

– Buzzy Trent

“If in doubt, paddle out.”

– Nat Young

“Out of water, I am nothing.”

– Duke Kahanamoku


We hope you’ve enjoyed reading these beautiful Hawaiian quotes and proverbs from the rainbow state! 

Do you know of any other quotes about Hawaii or Hawaiian sayings we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments below…

Want some more travel quotes for your Instagram captions? Check these out:

Did you like this? Share the aloha around now!

One Comment

  1. Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection of quotes and proverbs about Hawaii. As someone who has always been fascinated by the rich culture and natural beauty of Hawaii, I found your article to be both informative and inspiring.

    The Hawaiian culture is deeply rooted in a reverence for nature and the interconnectedness of all things. I was particularly struck by the proverb you shared: “He aliʻi ka ʻāina, he kauwā ke kanaka” which translates to “the land is a chief, the people are its servants.” This wisdom highlights the importance of stewardship and respect for the natural world, a value that has sadly been lost in many modern societies.

    I also enjoyed the quote by Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic champion, who said, “Out of the water, I am nothing.” This is a powerful reminder that we are all connected to the earth and its elements, and that we must take care of them if we hope to thrive.

    Overall, I appreciate the care and thoughtfulness you put into curating this collection of quotes and proverbs. Your article is a wonderful tribute to the beauty and wisdom of Hawaii’s culture.

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