Elvis may have left the building four decades ago, but he hasn’t left the hearts of his fans, young and old. This especially pertains to his Hawaii fans, who – like several other places around the world – believed the king of rock n’ roll belonged to their ohana (family). That’s why there will be – not a weekend-long – but a WEEKlong celebration in remembrance of Elvis’ first Hawaii performance 40 years ago. Hawaii sure knows how to party!
Elvis wearing a plumeria lei and playing a uke in Hawaii.
His “Aloha from Hawaii” concert happened in 1973 at what used to be the Honolulu International Center but is now the Neal Blaisdell Center. Hundreds showed up to rock out with the music icon who stole their hearts with his charismatic voice and that famously jiving knee. The upcoming event in January will allow fans to relive that momentous occasion like it happened just yesterday. Those who weren’t born yet or missed the Hawaii show can experience the music icon regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century pop culture.
Filmed at Hanauma Bay, the movie “Blue Hawaii” became a Hollywood hit for Elvis.
The Oahu celebration is scheduled for Jan. 10-15, 2013 and is expected to draw thousands of fans from around the world. Each day, Hilton Hawaiian Village will be hosting various events in honor of Elvis. Most of the details are still in the works, but what event coordinators have announced is a show by Legends in Concert on Jan. 12. Many know the local act for its hilarious celebrity impersonations and for helping Hawaii-born singer Bruno Mars get started in the biz, as he moonwalked his way across stage as a Michael Jackson impersonator.
There’s no doubt Elvis had an affinity for the islands. After all, it’s where he filmed some of his movies and had his most successful concerts. Till this day, the Polynesian Cultural Center still points out the twisted palm tree shown in Elvis’ movie Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966). You might even snorkel your way through Hanauma Bay, where Elvis filmed the musical Blue Hawaii (1961). He had such a special place in Hawaii’s heart that a 1,100-pound bronze statue of him had been donated to the islands and now sits on the grounds of the Blaisdell Center, where he had his “Aloha from Hawaii” concert.
The king of rock n’ roll basking in some Hawaiian sunshine.
“ ALOHA FROM HAWAII” 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION • Jan. 10-15, 2013 in Honolulu • www.elvis.com/aloha
(First and Second) Photos Used By Permission of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc; (Third) Photo By Cindy Scheopner
