Memphis, TN (Top40 Charts/ Elvis Presley Enterprises) Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. announced details today for Elvis Presley'sAloha from Hawaii, the 40th Anniversary Celebrationin Honolulu, Hawaii, to be held Thursday, January 10 - Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village
Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu.
"From his concerts in 1957 and 1961, to his movies and his many vacations here, this was his second home. And Hawaii loved Elvis just as much and still does. We look forward to hosting fans from around the world and showing them Elvis' Hawaii."
Hawaii was very important to
Elvis Presley both as a place to perform and as his own personal vacation destination. It was where scenes for three of his movies were filmed, several of his concerts were performed and where he went to relax with friends and family.
Elvis' first visit in November 1957 was for three performances. Two were held at Honolulu Stadium and another for service personnel and their families at Schofield Barracks. During this visit, he and his entourage stayed in suites at the top of the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Ocean tower.
His return for a performance on March 25, 1961, saw over $62,000 raised for the building of a memorial over the USS Arizona at
Pearl Harbor and created awareness for the memorial around the world.
During Elvis' movie career, scenes for the films "Blue Hawaii," "Girls! Girls ! Girls!" and "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" were all filmed in Hawaii with many of the scenes shot on the beaches of Waikiki. The songs from the resulting soundtracks have become classics instantly associated with the islands.
Elvis broke records when he returned for his concert in 1973, "Aloha from Hawaii," held at what is now the Neal Blaisdell Center. That concert was broadcast live via satellite on January 14, 1973, and is regarded as the most watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history. The concert was a fundraiser for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund and more than $75,000 was raised for cancer research in memory of the Hawaiian composer and entertainer. Lee, who died of throat cancer in December 1966, was the composer of the song "I'll Remember You," which was recorded by Elvis.
For his last visit, in March 1977, Elvis brought along 31 friends and family members who stayed at both the Hilton Hawaiian Village and a private residence in Lanikai.
Fans gathering from around the world in Honolulu in January 2013 for Elvis Presley'sAloha from Hawaii, the 40th Anniversary Celebration, willhave the unique opportunity to follow in the king's footsteps and spend time exploring Elvis' Hawaii.
Included in the vacation package will be concerts and dance events featuring Elvis fan favorites Terry Mike Jeffrey and Band, Andy Childs, Jamie
Aaron Kelly, former members of J. D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet who performed with Elvis on "Aloha from Hawaii" - Bill Baize, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland and Donnie Sumner, along with local musicians to be announced soon. Guests will learn more about Elvis in Hawaii during panel discussions hosted by Joey Sulipeck. Guests for the panel discussions include: Tom Moffatt, Hawaiian radio DJ and concert promoter; Jerry Hopkins, author of "Elvis in Hawaii"; Jan Shepard, Elvis' co-star in "
King Creole" and "Paradise, Hawaiian Style"; Joe Guercio, Elvis' musical conductor and a key member of the "Aloha from Hawaii" musical production team; and others to be announced soon.
Guests will also tour many of the Hawaiian locations important to Elvis throughout his life. From Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay, featured prominently as the backdrops of "Blue Hawaii" and "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" to an excursion along the island's windward side, guests will explore Elvis' Hawaii while listening to his music with their fellow Elvis fans at their side.
According to friends and family, Elvis' fundraiser for the building of the USS Arizona Memorial was one of his favorite memories. Elvis fans taking this once-in-a-lifetime journey will take a special tour of the USS Arizona Memorial at
Pearl Harbor and attend a screening of a new mini-documentary that explores the concert in 1961, revealing details not shared until now.
Other partners presenting Elvis Presley'sAloha from Hawaii, the 40th Anniversary Celebration include Hilo Hattie, Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu, and Teddy Bear World.
Additionally, the first-ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary held in Hawaii will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by
Legends in Concert
Waikiki and will take place at the recently-renovated Royal Hawaiian Theater located at The Royal Hawaiian Center just a few blocks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Legends in Concert
Waikiki is also presenting a spectacular tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll featuring some of the best tribute artists in the world with special performances and packages for those attending the 40th Anniversary Celebration to be held Friday and Sunday, January 11 and 13, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.
On the evening of Monday, January 14, 2013, the world will celebrate "Aloha from Hawaii." Elvis fans will gather at the Neal Blaisdell Center, the same venue where 40 years earlier, on January 14, 1973, Elvis took the stage for the concert that would become the most watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history.
The 2013 screening of "Aloha from Hawaii" will feature incredible re-mastered video on giant, multiple screens with audio presented in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The original show will be edited to create a new experience that will be almost like being there 40 years ago. Included will be rarely-seen footage and audio that, when combined with footage of Elvis on stage, will remind even the biggest fans why they call him the king.
"Elvis Presley loved Hawaii," says Tom Moffatt. "From his concerts in 1957 and 1961, to his movies and his many vacations here, this was his second home. And Hawaii loved Elvis just as much and still does. We look forward to hosting fans from around the world and showing them Elvis' Hawaii."
Vacation packages will be on sale for basic and plus members of the Elvis Insiders affinity group and former guests of The Elvis Cruises beginning April 17, 2012. The sale for the general public begins on April 21, 2012.
More information, including photos and video of Elvis in Hawaii, event details and package rates, is available at www.elvis.com/aloha
