There is no question: Elvis loved Hawaii and the people of Hawaii loved Elvis. For pretty much his entire professional career Elvis visited Hawaii, both to perform and to also vacation with his family and friends. If you are an Elvis fanatic, like so many millions around the world still are, then you can incorporate some fandom homage during your holidays in Hawaii.
Elvis first visited Hawaii in 1957 for three performances, including one at Schofield Barracks to entertain the troops and their families. In 1961, Elvis returned for a benefit concert to raise money for the building of the Arizona Memorial.
From then on (between 1961 and 1966) Elvis made three movies in Hawaii.
These included Blue Hawaii in 1961, Girls! Girls! Girls! in 1962 and Paradise Hawaiian Style in 1966.
Perhaps the greatest Elvis performance in Hawaii, however, was his live concert in 1973 called Aloha from Hawaii. The concert was delivered to millions around the world via satellite.
Aloha from Hawaii (1973)
Live from Honolulu and beamed to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, South Vietnam, the Phillipines, and later, over 30 European countries. (It aired in the US and UK around 3 months later, oddly enough.)
Blue Hawaii (1961)
This was Elvis first motion picture and, in some cases, the first time many parts of the world saw the beautiful images of Hawaii. Locations included: Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikikik Beach, Hanauma Bay, the southeast Oahu coastline, and pineapple fields of the island center. The Hilton Hawaiian Village (then the Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel) also appeared in the film.
Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)
Great locations included: Paradise Cove (in the time before the Koolina Lagoons), the old Bumble Bee Seafood Plant near Waikiki Beach, and Ali Wai Yacht Clube.
Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966)
Locations included: The Sheraton Maui, Hanalei Bay Beach Park on Kauai, Waimea Canyon and the Polynesian Cultural Center back on Oahu.
Today, there is an entire tourist niche that thrives in Hawaii that offers movies tours. The Hawaiian Islands have been the backdrop for many movies throughout the years. During your Hawaiian holiday you can easily book a movie tour on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Big Island. You still have the chance to see the places that were so very special to Elvis and experience film history.
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