Although it has its beginnings in the early 20th century with influences from traditional Hawaiian music and American ragtime, the term "hapa haole" now comprises a wide variety of styles, including swing, rock and roll, and rap.

[2][4] Throughout its evolution, hapa haole began to comprise other styles of music, including Hawaiian swing, rock and roll, and rap with English lyrics.

During this time, the phrase "hapa haole" first began to be used in reference to any Hawaiian song that had mostly English lyrics and influence from American genres.

[4][7] "On the Beach at Waikiki", a hapa haole composition by Henry Kailimai which was performed at the exposition,[7][8] went on to become a major hit in the mainland, one of the first of the genre to do so.

[9][10] Following these initial introductions of the genre in the mainland, hapa haole and Hawaiian music as a whole began to find a large amount of attention and commercial success across the country.

[4][10] Harry Owens' "Sweet Leilani" became a number one hit in the United States following Bing Crosby's performance of the song in the 1937 film Waikiki Wedding.