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That nostalgic Hawaiian song

By Catherine Toth Fox • October 1, 2012 • Musings, The Daily Dish

There’s nothing like flying back to Honolulu after a long trip — or better, after living away — and seeing Oahu’s south shoreline from the airplane window.

Even after a quick jaunt to a Neighbor Island, that nostalgic feeling washes over me.

And it makes me think of that Kealo and Kapono Beamer song, “Honolulu City Lights.”

The chorus plays in my head. “Each time Honolulu City Lights, stirs up memories in me. Each time Honolulu City Lights, will bring me back again.”


Listen — and watch — the song here

Every time I hear it, I’m hoemsick — and I live here!

It made me think about those Hawaiian songs I’d listen to while living in Chicago (particularly in the wintertime). Topping my list were Olomana’s “Kuu Home O Kahaluu,” “Good Times Together” by Ceclio & Kapono and “Flying” by the Peter Moon Band.

For some reason, these songs make me ache to be home.

I thought about these songs while reading Honolulu Magazine’s “25 Greatest Albums of the New Century” and wondered why these classics are so timeless.

Maybe I’m getting older. I hear you get more nostalgic with age.

So I’m throwing it out there: What songs make you think of and miss Hawaii?

flyingHawaiiHonolulu City LightsKeala and Kapono BeamerKuu Home of Kahaluumusicnostalgic Hawaiian songsPeter Moon Band
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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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16 Comments

  • Reply M October 1, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    Hello Cat,
    Almost any song by Kalapana will do it for me.

  • Reply TravelMonkey October 1, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    This is going to date me but.. I don’t know if it was an actual song or just for the Hawaiian Tel commercial and it goes like this:

    “Far away and out of touch
    People I know I love so much
    I do believe this ocean
    Is far too wide for me

    Thinking back to times with you
    There’s nothing else I’d rather do
    I do believe this ocean
    Is far too wide for me… ”

    The commercial has a girl go away to college and feeling homesick and finally her mom calls. It reminds me of my college experience in Seattle, before cell phones, texting, email, etc.

    Of course, “Honolulu City Lights” and “Island Style” by John Cruz, also.

    • Reply G_pumpkin October 1, 2012 at 2:36 pm

      It is an actual song even though I also think about the commercial when I hear the song. It’s Far Too Wide For Me by the Peter Moon Band. I love this song too.

      • Reply TravelMonkey October 2, 2012 at 9:57 pm

        Thanks! I couldn’t figure out the name or who it was by. I was searching all last night

  • Reply TravelMonkey October 1, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    oh and “Flying” by The Peter Moon Band

  • Reply FattyMcButterpants October 1, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    The Sunday Manoa – Kawika
    Does anything say Hawaii more than Peter Moon jamming the uke and the harmonization’s of the Cazimero brothers?

    Kealii Reichel – Kawaipunahele

  • Reply KAN October 1, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Nathan Aweau’s “Place Called Hawai`i”
    Danny Couch’s “These Islands”
    Na Leo’s “I Miss You My Hawai`i”

  • Reply DIO October 1, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    I Miss You, My Hawai`i – by Na Leo.
    Home In The Islands – Brothers Cazimero
    Na Kuahiwi `Elima – Brothers Cazimero
    Keola and Kapono Beamer – Honolulu City Lights

  • Reply jaydee October 2, 2012 at 5:13 am

    I agree with M, anything Kalapana.

    Also, Akaka Falls by Keali’i Reichel and White Sandy Beach by Iz

  • Reply M October 2, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Iz

  • Reply gigi-hawaii October 2, 2012 at 6:37 am

    I have that Honolulu City Lights album, and love music by the Cazimeros, too. In fact, that’s background music at my parties.

  • Reply matt October 2, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Honolulu I am Coming Back Again by the Sunday Manoa.

  • Reply Annoddah Dave October 2, 2012 at 8:35 am

    CAT: When I was living in Europe, my sister sent me the Honolulu City Lights album when it broke out. Needless to say I had tears streaming down my face as I sat and listened while it was snowing outside in the cold dark night. That song from then on has made me very moved when I hear it. I rarely hear it at karaoke…I would have a hard time trying to sing it.

  • Reply David Jackson October 2, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I have been so homesick for the past 8 years on the mainland… this past week it has been really bad. Really bad. So…

    You have no idea how much this hits home today. No idea. Watched H5O this morning on the PC, had no time last night. The opening scene sitting on boards off Waikiki tore me up. Blubbering like a fish.

    To answer the question:

    1) Anything by Bruddah Iz but especially Somewhere and Hene hene Kou ‘ Aka.
    2) Slack key from Ledward Ka’apana and others
    3) and I hate to admit it…the theme music from H50

    I WANT TO GO HOME.

  • Reply Theo Jones May 28, 2015 at 7:55 am

    Hawai’i 78 or Hawaiian Supa Man by Bruddah IZ

  • Reply Theo Jones May 28, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Also “Aloha Friday” by Kimo Kahoano. Will be tomorrow for sho.

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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