Hanalei Moon is a Hawaiian song written by composer Bob Nelson that depicts the beautiful imagery of Hanalei Bay located on the island of Kauai, HI. The version of the song I have linked below is sung by Dennis Pavao, a Hawaiian musician who was popular in the 70s and led a sort of “revival” of Hawaiian music and tradition. This song is deeply personal for me because my dad is from the island of Kauai. This was one of the first songs I learned on an ukulele that was gifted to me from my grandfather on the island. While I haven’t seen Hanalei Bay by moonlight as the lyrics say, I have visited my family on the island twice and can attest that the lyrics and feel of this song accurately encapsulate all that the island of Kauai is. Traditional Hawaiian music elements such as vibrato and falsetto singing, slide guitar, and ukulele are used in this recording.
Lyrics:
When you see Hanalei by moonlight
You will be in Heaven by the sea
Every breeze, every wave will whisper
You are mine don’t ever go away
Hanalei, Hanalei moon
Is lighting beloved Kauaʻi
Hanalei, Hanalei moon
Aloha nō wau iā ʻoe
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