List of people from Hawaii
Hawaiʻi has been home to many notable people that have become well-known beyond the shores of the islands. Listed below are celebrities that have called Hawaiʻi home during some significant part of their lives.
A
- Brian Adams (born 1963, died 2007) in Kona, Hawaii, professional wrestler
- Benny Agbayani, professional baseball player, born in Honolulu
- Keiko Agena, actress, Gilmore Girls, born in Honolulu
- Josh Agle, known as Shag, artist
- Daniel K. Akaka, first native Hawaiian US Senator
- Akebono Tarō (born Chad Rowan), sumo wrestler born in Waimanalo Hawaii
- Robert Allerton, industrialist and patron-owner of Allerton Garden, Kauai
- Chang Apana, folk figure who inspired Charlie Chan; worked for the Honolulu Police Department
- S. Haunani Apoliona, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee; Chairperson of OHA Board of Trustees
- George Ariyoshi, first Japanese-American elected governor
B
- Raymond Bailey actor from The Beverly Hillbillies television show, worked on a plantation before becoming an actor
- Buck Baker or Dr. William Baker conductor
- Bob Ballard, discoverer of Titanic wreck, received degree from the University of Hawaii.
- Kimee Balmilero, Filipino-American Actor "Miss Saigon"(Broadway Tour) "Mamma Mia"(Original Broadway Cast) "Hi-5"(Emmy Nominated)
- Gabe Baltazar, a Filipino-American jazz alto saxophonist.
- Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss America 2001
- Danny Barcelona, Filipino-American jazz-band drummer for Louis Armstrong
- Roseanne Barr, comedian and actress "Roseann", mac nut farmer and activist, Big Island, Honoka'a "Roseann's Nuts"
- Sasha Barrese, actress
- Donn Beach restauranteer of Don the Beachcomber tiki restaurant died in Honolulu
- Larry Beil Journalist, graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Barbi Benton model/actress, has a home in Hawaii.
- Greg Beeman, director-producer
- Henri Berger, composer and royal bandmaster of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
- Daniel Bess, actor, Rick Allen on 24
- Hiram Bingham I, missionary
- Hiram Bingham II, missionary
- Hiram Bingham III, US Senator from Connecticut, discovered Macchu Picchu
- Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Hawaiian princess and philanthropist
- Charles Reed Bishop, banker, philanthropist, husband of Bernice Pauahi Bishop
- Bill Bixby actor/director
- Don Blanding, poet.
- Richard Blood, professional wrestler also known as Ricky The Dragon Steamboat or Ricky Steamboat or Rick Steamboat born in Honolulu
- Daryl Bonilla Hawaii based actor, born in Honolulu.
- Richard Boone actor, who lived in Hawaii for seven years.
- Robert Sidney Bowen, an author, died of cancer in Honolulu in 1977
- Beau Bridges actor, attended University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Darin Brooks actor on Days of our Lives
- Jason Brooks actor, splits time between Hawaii and Los Angeles
- Ron Brown Hapa-Hawaiian radio personality Krater 96
- Bulldog Hawaii based actor.
- Andy Bumatai Hawaii based comedian and actor.
- Ray Bumatai Hawaii based actor and producer. He died in Honolulu.
- John A. Burns, Second Governor of Hawaii from 1962 to 1974; interred at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
- Brian Burton aka 'Danger Mouse', actor, born in Honolulu
- Eric Byler director, Charlotte Sometimes, Americanese; attended Moanalua High School Honolulu.
- Redmond Burke Pediatric Heart Surgeon
C
- William Robert Caddy World War II Medal of Honor recipient; interred at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
- Daryl Cagle, editorial cartoonist
- Sarah Wayne Callies, actress
- James Campbell, founder of the Estate of James Campbell, a major landowner in Hawaii.
- Joseph Campbell author, lived and died in Honolulu
- Glenn Cannon actor, Co-director of the Cinematic and Digital Arts Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
- George Ham Cannon World War II Medal of Honor recipient
- Tia Carrere, singer, actress
- Alexander Cartwright, father of American baseball
- Josh Casaubon actor, stationed in Hawaii for four years with the United States Army.
- Steve Case, former Chairman and CEO of America Online
- Benjamin J. Cayetano, first Filipino American governor
- Cedric Ceballos basketball player/rap artist
- Byron Chamberlain athlete, born in Honolulu
- Michael Chamberlain film director, current resident of Honolulu
- Richard Chamberlain actor, current resident of Hawaii.
- Wah Chang, Hollywood designer
- Ben Chapman actor, longtime resident of Oahu, Hawaii.
- Duane "DOG" Chapman, bounty hunter, lived in Hawaii since 1989.
- Leland Chapman bounty hunter, son of Duane "DOG" Chapman lives in Hawaii.
- Tim Chapman bounty hunter, lived in Hawaii since 1992; works with Duane "DOG" Chapman.
- Charo entertainer, longtime resident.
- Tom Cheney, cartoonist
- Brian Ching, professional soccer (football) player for the US Men's National Team and Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.
- Elliott Cho actor, born in Honolulu.
- Kam Fong Chun, police officer/actor
- Herbert Choy, first Asian-American federal judge in U.S. history
- Sam Choy, chef
- Bryan Clay, Olympic athlete
- Archibald Cleghorn, father of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani, and husband of Princess Miriam K. Likelike
- Harlan Cleveland, DIKW
- Titus Coan an early missionary to Hawaii, founded Haili Church
- Ed Cobb singer, member of the group The Four Preps
- Scott Coffey actor, born in Hawaii, studied in Honolulu
- Francis Judd Cooke, composer
- Captain James Cook, British explorer; died at Kealakekua Bay
- Mother Marianne Cope, the successor to Father Damien
- David Copperfield, illusionist, early career at Pagoda Hotel
- Matt Corboy actor, born and raised in Honolulu.
- Nancy Cordes, CBS News correspondent
- Ed Corney, IFBB Hall of Fame Bodybuilder.
- John P. Craven PhD, JD ocean engineering scientist, developer of OTEC and law professor
- Buster Crabbe, athlete and actor, studied at the Punahou School in Honolulu
- Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Cleghorn, last Hawaiian princess
- Richard E. Cunha cinematographer
D
- Mark Dacascos, actor and martial artist, born in Honolulu.
- Anthony Peter Damato World War II Medal of Honor recipient
- Father Damien, Priest, Missionary to the Lepers of Molokai, Beatified
- Ron Darling, baseball player, born and raised in Honolulu.
- Gavan Daws, Shoal of Time author, Hawaiiana historian
- Frank Delima, comedian
- Richard Denning actor
- Martin Denny composer
- Benjamin Dillingham, businessman
- Walter F. Dillingham, industrialist
- Jordan Dizon, Linebacker for the Detroit Lions, 2007 College Football All-America Team and Big 12 Conference's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at the University of Colorado.
- Jimmie Dodd actor, died in Honolulu
- James Drummond Dole, pineapple magnate
- Sanford B. Dole, territorial governor
- Richard Donner director, owns a beach house in Hawaii.
- David Douglas botanist; namesake for Douglas-fir tree
- Doris Duke, heiress, owner of "Shangri-La" residence on Black Point
E
F
- Nuu Faaola, former NFL running back
- Mary Elizabeth Pruett Farrington Republican congressional representative
- Scott Feldman, major league baseball pitcher (Texas Rangers)
- Sid Fernandez, baseball pitcher, born in Honolulu
- Tony Fiammetta, fullback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Hiram Leong Fong first Chinese-American United States Senator from Hawaii; interred at Nuuanu Cemetery in Honolulu.
- Leo Ford,actor, operated Pacific Paradise Tours
- Patricia Ford, model
- Russ Francis, NFL tight end, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
- Herman Frazier, 1976 Olympic gold medalist, head of 2004 U.S. Olympic team.
- Harry Fujiwara, professional wrestler, born in Hawaii.
G
- David Gallaher, writer, born in Honolulu.
- Brickwood Galuteria politician, elected chair of the Hawaii Democratic Party in 2004
- Loyal Garner, singer
- Brian Gaskill actor, born in Honolulu.
- Thomas Gill, lieutenant governor and US Representative
- Henry G. Ginaca, engineer and inventor of the machine that peeled and cored pineapples being prepared for canning
- Jeffrey Gold film director, former resident of Honolulu.
- Gary Goldman producer; graduated from the University of Hawaii in December 1971.
- Ah Chew Goo former coach of the University of Hawaii men's basketball team and a star high school basketball player
- Lauren Graham, TV Actress
- Wendy Lee Gramm, economist, wife of Phil Gramm
- Glen Grant, folklorist and author
- Erin Gray, actress
- Dave Guard, singer with Kingston Trio; born in Hawaii.
H
- Brian Haberlin, comic book artist and co-creator of Witchblade
- Marie Louise Habets, ex-nun on whose life The Nun's Story was based
- Bethany Hamilton, shark attack survivor, surfer
- Laird Hamilton, surfer, monster wave rider, inventor of tow-in surfing.
- Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of Metallica, has a house in Hawaii
- Lance Hahn, musician, formerly of the band Beck born in Honolulu
- Kayo Hatta, film director
- Hilo Hattie also known as Clara H. Nelson; Hawaiian entertainer, born in Honolulu
- Dick Haymes actor, lived in Hawaii in 1953.
- Michael Haynes III, professional wrestler, born in Honolulu
- Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema author, resident of Hawaii.
- Christian Hedemann (1852–1932), Danish-born engineer and pioneering amateur photographer
- Cecil Heftel, United States Representative and businessman.
- Geoff Heise, actor
- George Helm, Kahoolawe Ohana activist
- Marie Helvin, top model of the 1970s and 1980s
- George Herbig, astronomer
- John Hillerman, actor, best known for his role in Magnum, P.I.
- Barron Hilton, heir of Hilton Hotel chain, was stationed in Hawaii in World War II
- Don Ho, entertainer; born in Kakaako and died near Waikiki Beach.
- Hoku Ho, singer
- Michael Hoffman film director, born in Hawaii.
- Josh Holloway actor on the television show Lost in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu.
- Garrett Hongo, Japanese-American poet
- Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, singer featured in Lilo & Stitch
- Robert T. Hoshibata, Bishop of the United Methodist Church
- Christian Hosoi professional skateboarder of Hawaiian descent.
- Victor Stewart Kaleoaloha Houston, United States Representative from the Territory of Hawaii
- Kelly Hu, actress, Miss Teen USA 1985
- Matthias Hues actor, moved to Hawaii.
- Kathryn Hulme, author of The Nun's Story
- Wayne Hunter, offensive tackle for the New York Jets
I
J
- Thomas Jaggar, geologist and founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- William Paul Jarrett, United States Representative from the Territory of Hawaii.
- Dwayne Johnson, professional wrestler and actor known as "The Rock"
- Jack Johnson, singer, musician, songwriter, and documentary filmmaker, born in Oahu.
- Cris Judd actor, partly raised in Hawaii.
- Gerrit P. Judd, missionary and advisor
K
- Kaʻahumanu, Hawaiian queen
- Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Olympic swimmer and ambassador of surfing, born and died in Honolulu; interred at Oahu Cemetery in Honolulu.
- Carole Kai, singer and philanthropist.
- Henry J. Kaiser, industrialist
- Victoria Kaiulani, Hawaiian princess; interred at Royal Mausoleum in Honolulu.
- David Kalākaua, king, interred at Royal Mausoleum in Honolulu.
- Harry Kalas, sportcaster
- Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, Prince of Hawaii
- Emma Kaleleonalani Hawaiian monarch
- Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, entertainer and singer
- Stacy Kamano, actress
- Kamehameha I, monarch that united the Hawaiian islands; interred at Royal Mausoleum in Honolulu.
- Kamehameha V, last of the House of Kamehameha
- Herb Kawainui Kāne, artist, historian, and cofounder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
- Gilbert Lani Kauhi, actor
- Kaumualii, last king of Kauai
- Guy Kawasaki, official Apple Computer evangelist
- Princess Ruth Keelikolani, Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii, largest landowner in Hawaii, whose lands would later become the Bishop Estate
- Klaus Keil, geologist, known for mineral keilite
- Rabbit Kekai professional surfer, mentor was Duke Kahanamoku, born in Honolulu. He teaches surfing in Waikiki Beach.
- Douglas Kennedy actor, died in Honolulu; interred at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
- Keala Kennelly, professional surfer and actress, John from Cincinnati, Blue Crush, Step into Liquid
- Douglas Kenney actor, died in Kauai.
- Ed Kenney, actor and singer
- Steven L. Kent, Novelist/video game historian, was raised in Honolulu and attended Kalani High School.
- Chiefess Kapiolani; Hawaiian aliʻi
- Queen Kapiolani; Hawaiian queen
- Isaac C. Kidd; World War II Medal of Honor recipient; died in Pearl Harbor; interred at USS Arizona Memorial.
- Nicole Kidman, actress, born in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Harry Kim, first Korean-American elected mayor in US
- Samuel Wilder King, Governor of the Territory of Hawaii and United States Representative from the Territory of Hawaii.
- Robert Kiyosaki, author of financial books
- Terence Knapp, actor and director, lives in Honolulu.
- Adney Y. Komatsu, General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Konishiki (born Salevaa Atisanoe), sumo wrestler
- Olin Kreutz, center for the New Orleans Saints
- Shogo Kubo professional skater, lives with his family in Oahu.
- Clyde Kusatsu actor, born in Honolulu and graduated Iolani High School.
L
- Travis LaBoy, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers
- Bu Laia, comedian
- Mike Lambert, USA national volleyball team, AVP mvp
- George Parsons Lathrop, journalist, poet
- Vicki Lawrence actress, entertainer, (she lived in Maui after the Carol Burnett Show and returned to California.)
- George Lazenby actor, owns a home in Hawaii.
- Brook Mahealani Lee, Miss Universe 1997
- Christopher Lee, former president of production for TriStar Pictures; is now Chairman of the new Academy for Creative Media for the University of Hawaii.
- Jason Scott Lee, actor of Hawaiian descent; graduate of Pearl City High School.
- Kui Lee, born Kuiokalani Lee, musician, composer of "I'll Remember You" sung by Don Ho, Elvis Presley and Andy Williams.
- Phil Loadholt, offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
- Oren Ethelbirt Long first governor of Hawaii; interred at Oahu Cemetery in Honolulu.
- Tai Sing Loo Photographer, Born in Hawaii.
- Gerry López, professional surfer, born in Hawaii.
- Jack Lord actor, star of Hawaii Five-O. He died in Honolulu.
- Edward Tsang Lu, astronaut.
- Agnes Lum, bikini supermodel popular in Japan, born in Honolulu.
- King Lunalilo, King of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874
- Rod Lurie film director spent part of his childhood in Hawaii.
- Arthur Lyman musician
- Ben Lyon actor, died in Honolulu.
- Lorenzo Lyons, minister and author of the beloved hymn "Hawai`i Aloha"
M
- Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, football player.
- Kenneth MacDonald British actor
- Peter Maivia professional wrestler
- Eduardo Malapit (1933–2007), first U.S. mayor of Filipino ancestry
- Larry Manetti actor, best known for his role in Magnum, P.I.
- Ferdinand Marcos, former Philippine president, lived and died in exile in Honolulu
- Francis A. Marzen, religious leader
- Thalia Massie, wife of a Navy lieutenant, from the publicized September, 1931 rape case
- Vince Manuwai, football player.
- Danny McBride actor, lived in Hawaii.
- Bruno Mars, stage name for Peter Hernandez, singer-songwriter and music producer
- Kevin McCollum producer, graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu
- Gardner McKay actor/writer, died in Honolulu.
- Glenn Medeiros, singer, songwriter
- melody. (Melody Miyuki Ishikawa), singer of J-pop music
- James Mercer, lead singer and guitarist of indie rock band The Shins
- W.S. Merwin, Poet, longtime resident of Maui.
- Stein Metzger, beach volleyball player and olympian
- James A. Michener, novelist
- Al Michaels sports broadcaster, began his sports broadcasting career in Hawaii in 1968.
- Bette Midler, actress and entertainer
- Patsy Takemoto Mink, United States Congresswoman and author of the Title IX Amendment to the Higher Education Act
- Tau Moe singer, died in Laie, Hawaii.
- Jason Momoa, actor and model, born in Honolulu.
- Dominic Monaghan, actor in Lost, currently based in Hawaii.
- Tom Moffatt, entertainment producer, former dj with KPOI.
- Joe Moore, actor and journalist based in Honolulu
- Scott Moore, screenwriter
- Jon Moritsugu film director, born in Honolulu
- Jim Morrison lawyer/helicopter pilot lived in Hawaii
- Roger E. Mosley actor, best known for his role in Magnum, P.I.
- Tahj Mowry, actor, born in Honolulu
- Don Muraco, professional wrestler, born in Pūpūkea, Hawaii
- Arthur Murray entertainer, died in Honolulu
- Dave Murray musician with Iron Maiden; has a second home in Hawaii
- Musashimaru (born Fiamalu Penitani), sumo wrestler
N
O
- Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States, born in Honolulu Aug. 4, 1961
- Kimo von Oelhoffen, football player
- Bobo Olson, World champion boxer, hall of famer
- Eileen Olszewski, Professional female boxer
- Timothy Olyphant, actor
- Danny Ongais, racecar driver
- Ellison Onizuka, astronaut
- Julie Ow, actress
P
- Gabby Pahinui, musician
- Richard Parsons, Time-Warner CEO
- William A. Patterson, United Airlines president, 1934–1966
- David Pearson, longboard and minitanker surfer since 1958, Maui, Kaua'i and The Big Island
- B.J. Penn, professional mixed martial artist
- Jeff Peterson, slack key guitarist
- Rick Pitino, basketball coach
- Gregory Poirier, writer, director, producer
- Troy Polamalu, professional American footballer
- Kawaipuna Prejean, Hawaiian activist
- Kelly Preston, actress
- Albert Pyun, film director
Q
R
- Dale Radomski, stuntman
- Dominic Raiola, football player
- Kealii Reichel (born 1961), Hawaiian singer, dancer, chanter and scholar
- Syngman Rhee, first president of South Korea, later exiled to Hawaii.
- James O. Richardson, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet 1940–1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- Eric Roberts actor, resident
- Red Rocha, basketball player. Best known as the head coach of the University of Hawaii men's basketball team, coaching the "Fabulous Five" era from 1970 to 1972.
- George Rodiek, gardener Walker Estate, diplomat and Hindu-German conspirator
- Anya Rozova, fashion model and 1st runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10
- Anthony Ruivivar, actor, Third Watch
- Peggy Ryan, dancer and choreographer
S
- Buffy Sainte-Marie, singer, Academy Award winning songwriter, Native American educator and activist lives on Kauai.
- Stan Sakai, comic book creator
- Harold Sakata, actor
- Lenn Sakata, baseball player
- Carolyn Sapp, Miss America 1992
- Bronson Sardinha, baseball player
- Garret T. Sato, actor
- Nicole Scherzinger, dancer-singer (The Pussycat Dolls)
- Amanda Schull, ballerina and actress
- Tom Selleck, actor
- Bob Shane, singer with Kingston Trio
- Nicole Sherzinger, singer
- James Shigeta, actor
- Jake Shimabukuro, Ukulele musician
- Eric Shinseki, US Army general and 34th Chief of Staff
- William Herbert Shipman (1854–1943), influential businessman
- Calvin C.J. Sia, pediatrician
- Shannyn Sossamon, actress and musician
- Claus Spreckels, developer
- Mike Starr, bassist (Alice in Chains)
- Ricky Steamboat, professional wrestler, born in Honolulu.
- Jake Steinfeld, fitness host of Body by Jake which was taped in Hawaii.
- Don Stroud, actor
- Sun Yat-sen, Qing dynasty revolutionary
- Kurt Suzuki, catcher for the Oakland A's
- Heidi Swedberg, actress, Susan Ross on Seinfeld
- John M. Systermans, Belgian-born follower of Father Damien who worked extensively in Molokai
T
- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, actor
- Yuta Tabuse, basketball player
- Takamiyama (born Jesse Kuhaulua, 1944), sumo wrestler
- Kevin S. Tenney, director, screenwriter
- Paul Theroux, travel writer & novelist
- Nainoa Thompson, native Hawaiian nagivator
- Asa Thurston (1787–1868), in first company of missionaries to Hawaii
- Lorrin A. Thurston, grandson of missionaries, leader in 1893 monarchy overthrow and leader of the Provisional Government of Hawaii.
- Lee Tonouchi, pidgin author
- Haunani-Kay Trask, native Hawaiian professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii, and political activist
- Jasmine Trias, singer, American Idol finalist
- Corky Trinidad, cartoonist, Honolulu Star-Bulletin
- Esera Tuaolo, football player
- Mosi Tatupu, football player
- Mark Tuinei, football player
- Merlin Tuttle, mammalogist, Honolulu
V
W
- Scott Waddle, commander of the USS Greeneville submarine during the Ehime Maru incident
- Megan Ward, actress
- John Waihee, first Native Hawaiian governor
- Justin Wayne, baseball player
- Charlie Wedemeyer, prep player of the decade: football, basketball, baseball
- Adam West, TV actor as "Batman"; host of the Kini Popo Show as Bill Anderson
- Jeff Widener, journalistic photographer (esp. noted for Tiananmen Square photo)
- Michelle Wie, golf prodigy
- Robert William Wilcox (born 1855), native Hawaiian revolutionary, soldier, and US Representative from the Territory of Hawaii
- Jerome Williams baseball player for the San Francisco Giants
- Charles F. Winslow 19th century physician and atomic theorist
- Alan Wong, chef
- Kirby Wright, novelist and poet born in Honolulu and raised on Oahu and Moloka'i
- Robert Wyland, artist
Y
Gallery
References