What Is “Maui Wowie” from the Viral “Goin’ Back to Honolulu” Song?

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Why people hang off street signs and poles singing "mawie wowie" in this viral TikTok trend

Co-authored by Bailey Cho

Last Updated: October 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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Maui Wowie Meaning

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Why “Maui Wowie” Is Trending

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How to Do the Trend

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If you’ve been seeing TikTok users hanging off street signs and lip-syncing the lyrics, “Going back to Honolulu just to get that, that Maui Wowie,” you’re not alone. It’s consuming everyone’s feed (and confusing them), but luckily, we’re here to break it down for you! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Maui Wowie (sometimes spelled "mowie wowie" or "mawie wowie"), including what it means, why it’s trending on TikTok, and how to make your own video to participate in the trend.

What does “Maui Wowie” mean?

“Maui Wowie” refers to a strain of marijuana from Hawaii. It’s featured in Kid Cudi’s song “Maui Wowie,” which is the audio for a viral TikTok trend where users hang from street crossing poles and lip-sync the lyrics, “Goin’ back to Honolulu just to get that, that Maui Wowie.”

Section 1 of 3:

“Maui Wowie” Meaning

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Maui Wowie is a sativa-dominant strain of marijuana from Hawaii. Also spelled “Maui Waui,” "Mowie Wowie," or "Mawie Wowie," it's a variety of marijuana made from a cross of Hawaiian and another unknown strain. It’s known for its tropical flavor and uplifting effects, often recommended for people who plan to smoke in the daytime or attend social activities.^{[1]
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- “Maui Wowie” is also the name of a song about this strain of marijuana by rapper and singer Kid Cudi. The song was released on Kid Cudi’s 2008 mixtape A Kid Named Cudi.
- What kind of high is Maui Wowie? It’s described as a euphoric high, with many users experiencing a boost in energy, creativity, focus, and mental clarity. Some claim to feel a decrease in stress and anxiety, too.
- How did Maui Wowie get its name? Maui Wowie originated from Maui in the 1960s. During this time, Hawaii was a prime location for cannabis cultivation, due to its climate, volcanic soil, and lower law enforcement scrutiny compared to the mainland U.S.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 3:

Why is “Maui Wowie” by Kid Cudi trending?

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Kid Cudi’s song “Maui Wowie” is trending because of a TikTok challenge. In the Maui Wowie challenge, creators hang on a street crossing pole and lip-sync the lyrics, “Goin’ back to Honolulu just to get that, that Maui Wowie.” It became a trend after TikTok user @aaronxbrownn posted a video of himself hanging from a street crossing pole and lip-syncing to the song on September 5, 2025. There's no specific reason why he did this, but it was a hit on TikTok and got over 5.5 million views in 2 weeks. Soon, other users began to recreate his video.^{[3]
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- The trend is a fun way to show off your fit, face card, or strength—many users hold onto the street crossing pole using just one arm!
- If there’s not a street crossing pole nearby, you can try hanging onto monkey bars, basketball hoops, trees, bathroom doors, or whatever works for you.
- Kid Cudi’s song was released in 2008, but didn’t hit the Billboard 100 charts until October 2025 after the song went viral on TikTok. Cudi posted a celebratory statement on Instagram to thank his fans and even posted a video of himself doing the trend!
- Other celebrities and influencers who have participated in the Maui Wowie challenge include FaZe Rug, Demi Bagby, Haley Baylee, Andrew Davila, and Rob from Love Island.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Do the “Maui Wowie” TikTok Trend

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Find a structure to hang from and film a video lip-syncing to “Maui Wowie.” Look for a sturdy structure you can safely hang from, like a street pole, traffic light pole, monkey bars, or a strong tree branch. Jump up and use your arms to hang from the structure until you feel stable. Then, have your friend open TikTok and record a new video, selecting the sound “Maui Wowie” by Kid Cudi. As the music plays, lip-sync the lyrics and dangle your legs.
- If you want to be extra impressive, try hanging with only one arm!
- Can’t grab onto the structure on your own? No worries! You can always get a boost from your friend and work on building your arm muscles in the meantime.