From musicians and authors to actors, surfers, and even a U.S. President, many individuals born in Hawaii have gone on to accomplish great things. This beautiful state is much more than epic scenery, outstanding beaches, and friendly people. Hawaii is the birthplace of many fascinating and interesting individuals! If you are just about ready to pack your bags for Hawaii but need a little more inspiration, here are 13 famous people from Hawaii that you need to know more about:

1. Barack Obama

Matt Johnson/Flickr
The first American president to be born in Hawaii, Barack Obama graduated from the prestigious Punahou School. He is probably the biggest of all the Hawaiian celebrities.

2. Bruno Mars

Tony Felgueiras/Flickr
Born into a musical family in the heart of Waikiki, Bruno performed with his family’s band and became known for his Elvis impersonation. Keep this fact for some Hawaii trivia to spout!

3. Jack Johnson

Prestor/Flickr
Born and raised on Oahu’s North Shore, musician Jack Johnson still lives there with his wife and two children – and somehow finds time to give back to the community. He’s one of the most beloved famous people from Hawaii!

4. Bethany Hamilton

Eric Neitzel/Flickr
A professional surfer who lost her arm in a 2003 shark attack, Bethany was born on Kauai, and still lives there now. She’s an absolute legend in the surfing world.

5. Lauren Graham

Genevieve/Flickr
Of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood fame, actress Lauren Graham was born on March 16, 1967, in Honolulu, and moved to Virginia when she was five. Definitely one of the fun facts about Hawaii!

6. Nicole Kidman

Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV/Flickr
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii while her Australian parents were in the United States on educational visas, Nicole has become a wildly popular actress. Many people don’t know that she's one of the most famous people born in Hawaii.

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7. Jason Momoa

Gage Skidmore/Flickr
This star won the 1999 Hawaii Model of the Year Award before becoming famous for his role as Khal Drogo in the HBO hit, Game of Thrones. We’re not surprised he won Model of the Year first!

8. Marcus Mariota

Mike McBride/Flickr
Of Samoan descent, Mariota was born in Honolulu and was the first University of Oregon football player and Hawaii native to win the Heisman Trophy. He has played for several NFL teams and is now on the Philadelphia Eagles. We’re proud to have him as Hawaii-born!

9. Tahj Mowry

Disney | ABC Television Group/Flickr
Of Disney Channel fame, Tahj was born in Hawaii during his father’s Army tour. His twin sisters, Tia and Tamara Mowry, were not.

10. Bette Midler

Alan Light/Flickr
Born in Honolulu, Bette began her career in a series of off-off-Broadway plays. She has since sold more than 30 million records worldwide and won three Grammys, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. She’s one of the most famous people from Hawaii!

11. Lois Lowry

Mulnomah County Library/Flickr
Credited with more than 30 children’s books, Lois Lowry was born in Honolulu, Hawaii during her father’s – an Army officer and dentist – tour to the island. We love her books to this day - The Giver is especially great!

12. Maggie Q

Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Best known for her title role in The CW spinoff series Nikita, Maggie grew up in Millilani, and moved off-island when she graduated from high school. She’s one of the celebrities who lived in Hawaii for a long time before leaving.

13. Manti Te'o

Jeff/Flickr
This football star pops up again and again on lists of famous people born in Hawaii, but it's hard to justify adding him to my list. I’ve met him several times as a friend of a friend, not a football star. A great down-to-Earth guy that we’re lucky to have from Hawaii!

So, please share, which of these famous people from Hawaii would you most like to meet? Do you know any other Hawaiian celebrities? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for more famous things from Hawaii besides these Hawaiian celebrities? Check out 14 famous restaurants in Hawaii that are so worth waiting in line for! Or take a tour of some of the most famous filming locations in Hawaii.

Want to show off your Hawaii love everywhere you go? Check out this great Explore Hawaii pocket tee from The Landmark Project!

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Famous People From Hawaii

Megan McDonald | August 01, 2021

Do many famous people still live in Hawaii?

Yes! Not only were there a number of famous people born in Hawaii, but there are also lots of celebrities who still live in this beautiful state. Even more, visit long-term. There are many rentals on the islands of Hawaii that offer a spot to land for celebrities like Beyonce and Jay-Z, Jessica Simpson, and more. The islands’ lure brings in many people that want to relax and take a break in one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world.

How long did President Barack Obama live in Hawaii?

President Barack Obama lived in Hawaii until he left for college, except for a short stint with his mother in Indonesia for four years when he was aged six to ten. At ten, his mother sent him to back Hawaii to live with her parents while he finished high school at the prestigious Punahou School. He still visits Hawaii in what has been affectionately dubbed the “Winter White House,” and spends time on the islands with his family. 

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