Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Hawaii Ponoi on piano
Written by King Kalakaua & Henri Berger
- F major
- 3/4
- 80 BPM
- I–V–V7–I loop
- 2017
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Hawaii Ponoi in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – C – C7 – F
How it goes
Hawaii Ponoi sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FICVC7V7FI- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Sliding twins
How it goes
Two notes together step down beat by beat, like a hymn closing. Musicians call it lh power fifths (3/4) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in 258 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Waltz chords
How it goes
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 80 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: Bb – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Hawaii Ponoi
What chords are in Hawaii Ponoi?
The loop is F – C – C7 – F (I – V – V7 – I) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is Hawaii Ponoi in?
F major, at about 80 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Hawaii Ponoi?
Sliding twins: lh power fifths (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Hawaii Ponoi easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.