The Top 10 Most Famous Celebrities from Hawaiʻi: From Obama to Bruno Mars

Hawaiʻi may be a remote island chain in the middle of the Pacific, but it’s produced an outsized number of iconic figures who have left their mark on global culture. From Grammy-winning artists and Hollywood stars to national leaders and athletic legends, the islands have nurtured talent that reaches far beyond the shorelines.

In this roundup, we spotlight the top ten most famous people from Hawaiʻi—individuals whose roots in the Aloha State helped shape their rise to international fame.

1. Barack Obama

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: 44th President of the United States

Arguably the most famous person ever born in Hawaiʻi, Barack Obama was born at Kapiʻolani Medical Center in Honolulu in 1961. A proud Punahou School graduate, Obama often credits his multicultural upbringing in the islands for shaping his worldview and calm demeanor.

As the first African American president, Obama served two historic terms from 2009 to 2017 and frequently returned to Hawaiʻi for family vacations and quiet reflection.

2. Bruno Mars

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and performer

Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars grew up in a family of musicians and performers in Waikīkī. Known for his electrifying stage presence and genre-blending hits like “Uptown Funk” and “24K Magic,” Mars is one of the most successful artists of the 21st century.

His style—equal parts pop, funk, R&B, and retro soul—is infused with the spirit of Hawaiʻi’s music scene, where he began performing as a young Elvis impersonator.

3. Jason Momoa

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Actor, Aquaman, Game of Thrones

With his towering physique, long hair, and Hawaiian tattoos, Jason Momoa exudes the rugged charm of the islands. Though raised primarily in Iowa, Momoa was born in Hawaiʻi and identifies strongly with his Native Hawaiian roots.

He rose to global fame with his roles as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and as the DC Comics superhero Aquaman. Momoa is also an outspoken advocate for ocean conservation and indigenous rights.

4. Bette Midler

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Singer, actress, comedian, Broadway legend

Known affectionately as “The Divine Miss M,” Bette Midler is a multifaceted entertainer who’s conquered stage, screen, and song. She was born and raised in Honolulu, attending Radford High School before heading to New York City to pursue acting.

With multiple Grammys, Emmys, and Tony Awards under her belt, Midler has become one of the most respected performers of her generation.

5. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Musician and cultural icon

Better known as “Braddah Iz,” Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is revered for his hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.” His voice became the soundtrack of Hawaiʻi for the world.

Iz was more than a musician—he was a passionate advocate for Native Hawaiian rights and culture. Despite his passing in 1997, his music remains a timeless symbol of aloha and island identity.

6. Nicole Scherzinger

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Singer, Pussycat Dolls lead vocalist, TV personality

Born in Honolulu and raised in both Hawaiʻi and Kentucky, Nicole Scherzinger’s charisma and powerful voice propelled her to fame as the frontwoman of The Pussycat Dolls.

She later became a judge on The X Factor and The Masked Singer, further solidifying her place in global pop culture. Scherzinger is proud of her mixed Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Ukrainian heritage.

7. Duke Kahanamoku

Born: Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaiʻi
Famous For: Olympic swimmer, father of modern surfing

An Olympic gold medalist and the original global ambassador of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku is a Hawaiian legend. He introduced surfing to the mainland U.S., Australia, and beyond, all while breaking records in swimming during the early 1900s.

Duke’s legacy lives on in surf culture, the Duke’s restaurant chain, and the annual Duke’s OceanFest in Waikīkī. He’s remembered not just for his athleticism, but for his aloha spirit and humility.

8. Auliʻi Cravalho

Born: Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island
Famous For: Voice of Disney’s Moana

At just 14 years old, Auliʻi Cravalho was chosen from thousands of girls to voice Disney’s Moana, becoming the first Native Hawaiian Disney princess and a cultural milestone for Pacific Islander representation.

Cravalho continues to act in TV and film and uses her platform to speak out on mental health and indigenous empowerment. Her performance of “How Far I’ll Go” remains iconic.

9. Kelly Hu

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: Actress, The Scorpion King, X2, Nash Bridges

A former Miss Teen USA and Miss Hawaiʻi USA, Kelly Hu turned her pageant success into a steady Hollywood acting career. She has appeared in numerous action films and television shows and is one of the earliest Asian American actresses to break into mainstream entertainment.

Hu remains an advocate for Asian and Pacific Islander representation in media and continues to support environmental causes in Hawaiʻi.

10. Marcus Mariota

Born: Honolulu, Oʻahu
Famous For: NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner

Marcus Mariota made history as the first Polynesian to win the Heisman Trophy while playing quarterback for the University of Oregon. Born and raised in Honolulu, Mariota has gone on to play for several NFL teams, becoming a role model for young athletes in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands.

Known for his humility, leadership, and dedication to giving back to local youth, Mariota embodies the values of aloha on and off the field.

Honorable Mentions

• Jack Johnson – North Shore surfer turned acoustic music star

• Tia Carrere – Actress, singer, and proud Kaimukī native

• Don Ho – Legendary crooner known for “Tiny Bubbles”

• Maggie Q – Actress with part-Hawaiian roots

• Kanoa Igarashi – Olympic surfer born to Japanese parents in California, but often associated with Hawaiʻi surf culture

Final Thoughts: Hawaiʻi's Lasting Impact on Global Culture

These ten famous individuals reflect the rich diversity and creativity that Hawaiʻi brings to the world stage. Whether through music, sports, film, or activism, they carry the spirit of aloha wherever they go—showing that the islands’ influence extends far beyond its shores.

As Hawaiʻi continues to inspire new generations of artists, leaders, and cultural ambassadors, one thing is clear: the world is always watching, listening, and learning from Hawaiʻi.