A prominent figure in Hawaiian music during the early 20th century, American composer Johnny Noble (1892–1944) was instrumental in popularizing the genre globally. He led successful orchestras and was a prolific songwriter, with hits like "My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii" and "Hawaiian War Chant." Noble's arrangements and compositions significantly shaped the sound of hapa haole music, blending traditional Hawaiian melodies with Western jazz and popular music styles.