Heading on a Hawaiian vacation and plan on sharing Hawaii photos on Instagram? Add a cute Hawaii Instagram caption featuring Hawaiian song lyrics and Hawaiian quotes. Scroll down to find out all the best Hawaii quotes!
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Do you want to find the perfect Hawaii Instagram caption?
You can use these Hawaii beach quotes and song lyrics as your next travel photo’s caption. They are all about Hawaii, so they will be perfect for your photos! Plus, they’re short enough that you won’t have to spend too much time on them. So, go ahead and give these Hawaii travel quotes a try!
We know how hard it is to come up with an awesome Instagram caption sometimes. That’s why we’ve collected some of our favorite Hawaii quotes and sayings about travel and put them in one place for you.
Now, all you need to do is pick out the lyric or quote about Hawaii that best fits your photo and post it away! It’s really easy when someone else has done most of the work for you already.
And if there isn’t anything here that strikes your fancy just yet, keep checking back because we’ll be adding more soon! Or you can check out these Hawaii jokes that make funny Hawaii captions.
Whether you are a serious travel photographer or just “doing it for the ‘gram,” these Hawaii quotes and song lyrics are perfect Instagram captions.
Keep scrolling for my full list of Hawaii quotes for Instagram.
Hawaii Quotes for Instagram Captions
Here are some of the Hawaiian vacation quotes you will love to use for your captions:
General Hawaii Quotes
I have to start off with one of the most famous lines from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which is set on Kauai:
“Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.“
— Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
It is definitely one of the most famous Hawaiian sayings about family!
And this one from Parks & Recreation co-star Adam Scott cracked me up:
“Chasing kids on the beach and sleeping is the closest I come to exercising while in Hawaii.”
— Adam Scott, actor
Of course, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson grew up in Hawaii and has filmed several movies on the islands.
“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, actor and former wrestler
I think it’s another one of the great Hawaii quotes about life.
Bruno Mars also grew up in Hawaii. This quote would be great to go with a photo featuring a ukulele or live music.
“Hawaii is paradise. It sounds cheesy to say it, but there’s music in the air there.”
–Bruno Mars, musician
This quote is perfect for capturing a moonlit beach walk or sunset over the ocean:
“For me, the magic of Hawaii comes from the stillness, the sea, the stars.”
— Joanne Harris, author
It’s one of the best quotes about Hawaii beauty for sure!
The spirit of Aloha comes in many forms and this is one of my favorite Aloha quotes:
“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, reverend
This quote is great for any sort of colorful photo in Hawaii:
“Coming to Hawaii is like going from black and white to color.”
— John Richard Stephens, author
It would make for one of the perfect Hawaii vacation quotes to use for your picture!
And if you’re looking for a Hawaii quote to use with anything involving a Hawaiian lei:
“Hawaii is the only place I know where they lay flowers on you while you are alive.”
— Will Rogers, actor
Isn’t that just one of the beautiful Hawaiian quotes about life?
This would be one of the great quotes for Hawaii to go with a beach clean-up or other volunteer experience in Hawaii.
“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, politician
Whether you are taking a photo of a free hula show or a full-blown luau, this is one of the best luau quotes by the last King of Hawaii sums it up beautifully:
“The Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian People.”
— King David Kalakaua, last king of Hawaii
Use this next quote on Hawaii with a photo featuring a pineapple.
“Even the sweetness of a freshly cut pineapple from Hawaii is a sermon.”
–J.A. Medders, podcaster
And this quote by legendary Hawaiian icon Don Ho works well with any scenic photo of Hawaii:
“Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.”
— Don Ho, musician
It’s another one of the famous Hawaii quotes!
And if you are making a return trip to the islands, this quote says it all:
“The only good thing about leaving Hawaii is that you really appreciate it when you return.”
— John Richard Stephens, author
It’s another one of the best quotes about Hawaii vacation to use for your photos!
Oahu Quotes
If you head up to North Shore Oahu, this is an awesome quote. If you are looking for some surfing quotes for Instagram, this is perfect:
“Most of what Hawaii has to offer is no secret. Pipeline is probably the most famous wave in the world.”
–Kelly Slater, surfer
This would be cool along with a photo of the Byodo-In Temple or any Asian food item.
“No place is perfect, but I admire Oahu for its offering of the tropical and the urban, and then its Asian-inflected culture and cuisines.”
–Chang-rae Lee, author
This would be a great one to post anywhere on the North Shore, like Haleiwa.
“There are a few places around the country, North Shore of Oahu would be one that I would point to, where people really look out for each other; it’s a real local sort of a place and once you’re in that sort of ohana, or that family, everybody kind of looks out for each other.”
–Michael Raymond-James, author
I think it’s one of the best Hawaiian inspirational quotes, because it is so true! You are family in Hawaii.
Maui Quotes
Mark Twain always has a way with words and he spent a ton of time in Hawaii. This is one of the top Maui Hawaii quotes that would work for just about any scenic photo.
“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, author
This quote about Maui would be perfect for showcasing your ultimate Hawaiian experience, like hiking, enjoying a cocktail, or relaxing on the beach.
“I would rather live one day in Maui than one month in New York.”
— Charles Lindbergh, aviator
If you are traveling to this island, I think this is one of the best Maui quotes for Instagram!
Kauai Quotes
This Kauai blessing works perfectly with a rainbow photo, especially on the North Shore, like in Hanalei:
“May there always be Tradewinds behind you, Rainbows above you, and Aloha all Around you.”
— Kauai Blessing
It is another one of my favorite sayings about Hawaii.
For another one of the top quotes about Kauai, this one is perfect for your vacation pictures:
“Kauai is kind of my place where I go to get centered. It’s always my place to come back and feel normal again. “
— Author: Alana Blanchard
This is one of the best Kauai sayings because it explains life on the island so well:
“Being with my wife and children in Kauai, seeing old friends there, being on the beach, painting, paddleboarding. Sitting under a Kauai moon with a bonfire going, buddies around. Those are the things that kind of make my world turn.”
–Pierce Brosnan, actor
This next one is another one of the best Hawaii life quotes:
“When you come to a place like Kauai, you don’t go for a high tech world.”
–Todd Rundgren, musician
Big Island Quotes
If you’re looking for a good caption for a photo of lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
“Hawaii is paradise born of fire.”
— Rand McNally, author
Or this one about Kilauea:
“Mount Kilauea spilled glowing lava like cords of orange neon-lighting from seemingly nowhere. In the blackness that engulfed the night, electric heat lit flowing streams that fell into the sea, disappearing in a cloud of steam with a sizzling splash.”
— Victoria Kahler, author
Or this one about both Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea:
“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, astronaut
It’s another one of the great captions for Hawaii pictures of these incredible mountains!
Hawaiian Song Lyrics for Instagram Captions
These next song lyrics also work as cute Hawaiian sayings for your Instagram captions:
General Hawaiian Song Lyrics
Blue Hawaii is one of the most famous Hawaiian songs from yesteryear and this quote sums it up perfectly:
Come with me while the moon is on the sea
— Leo Robin, Blue Hawaii
The night is young and so are we
Dreams come true in Blue Hawaii
And mine could all come true
This magic night of nights with you”
I’m a HUGE Jack Johnson fan. He grew up and still lives in Hawaii and so many of his songs are based on island life. Here are a few of my favorite Jack Johnson lyrics that also work well as Instagram captions.
“Don’t let your dreams be dreams.”
— Jack Johnson, Don’t Let Your Dreams Be Dreams
And this one is super cute for a couples’ shot:
Mmm, it’s always better when we’re together
— Jack Johnson, Better Together
Yeah, we’ll look at them stars when we’re together
Well, it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
And this one is perfect for food photos of Hawaiian pancakes:
Waking up too early
— Jack Johnson, Banana Pancakes
Maybe we can sleep in
Make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it’s the weekend now
Hawaiian Song Lyrics about Oahu
If you’ve heard the song Waikiki, it’s hard not to hum it while you’re there in person. These lyrics are great for dusk shots. It’s one of the best Waikiki quotes:
Wai—ki–ki, at night when your shadows are falling
— Andy Cummings, Waikiki
I hear your rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
And this is another Oahu song that’s easy to get stuck in your head while walking around Honolulu in the evening.
Each time Honolulu city lights
— Keola Beamer, Honolulu City Lights
Stir up memories in me.
Each time Honolulu city lights
Bring me back again
It’s one of the best Honolulu quotes to use for your pictures while you are there!
Hawaiian Song Lyrics about Maui
If you do the Road to Hana and take photos in Hana town, this is a nice song lyric to add to your photo.
Heavenly Hana
— John Pi’ilani Watkins, Heavenly Hana
Where tropic skies are blue
And angels rendezvous
This is paradise
I think it is one of the best Road to Hana captions!
The legendary Neil Young even talks about Maui in his song Hawaiian Sunrise.
Pretty Maui Mama
–Neil Young, Hawaiian Sunrise
Lying over the water
With my sun in your eyes
When you hear the melody play
It changes every day
Oh, Hawaiian sunrise
Hawaiian Song Lyrics about Kauai
This is probably the most famous song about Kauai. I think these lyrics make an awesome Kauai caption for any scenic photo.
There’s an island across the sea
— Don Ho, Beautiful Kauai
Beautiful Kaua’i, beautiful Kaua’i
And it’s calling, yes calling to me
Beautiful Kaua’i, beautiful Kaua’i
While Bruddah Iz is known worldwide for his rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, he has an extensive collection of songs about Hawaii. This is my favorite Kauai song.
Hele on to Kauai
— Israel Kamakawio’ole, Hele on to Kauai
Hanalei by the bay
Wailua river valley is where I used to play
The canyons of Waimea standing all aglow
The magic of the garden isle is calling me back home
And if you’re heading up to the North Shore of Kauai, Hanalei Moon lyrics are a perfect caption for your Kauai photo.
When you see Hanalei by moonlight
— Bob Nelson, Hanalei Moon
You will be in Heaven by the sea
Hawaiian Song Lyrics about the Big Island
This is a total throwback Big Island song about the tiny town. And you won’t be able to stop singing it on a drive around the Big Island.
I want to go back to my little grass shack
–Bill Cogswell, Tommy Harrison & Johnny Noble, My Little Grass Shack
In Kealakekua, Hawai’i
Where the humuhumunukunukuāpua’a
Go swimming by
Hawaii Photography FAQs
I know a lot of people debate whether or not to lug their heavy cameras to Hawaii. It’s totally a personal choice. If you plan on setting aside time to take good photos on your trip, it might be worth it. Otherwise, it will be a lot easier just to bring your phone (as long as it has a good camera). Instead of a bulky camera, I’d recommend a Go Pro or the Osmo Pocket so you can capture video.
Absolutely! Our family does one on every trip because our kids are growing so quickly. We love using Flytographer because it’s the most affordable Hawaii photography service with great results.
NO!!! It’s been illegal to climb the Stairway to Heaven for years, and there are hefty $1,000 fines for those who trespass. In September 2021, the City of Honolulu actually voted to remove the stairs completely. So, please don’t plan on hiking the Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii.
Travel Quotes About Hawaii Wrap-Up
We hope these famous quotes about Hawaii have made you feel even more excited to visit this magical place. If you are already there, be sure to post all of your amazing photos on social media with these inspirational Hawaiian quotes so that others can see how beautiful it is too!
It’s also a great idea to document the trip with pictures and create memories in photo books for yourself or as gifts for loved ones back home.
Don’t forget to check out some of our other photography content below if you want inspiration on what else Hawaii has to offer.
I hope you enjoyed these Hawaii sayings and quotes!