YESSAH! Iam Tongi, American Idol’s most viral contestant ever and the winner of the 21st season of the phenomenally popular singing competition RETURNS TO HAWAI‘I!

Hailed by reviewers as “one of the show’s strongest victors ever,” teenaged Iam Tongi made history when he blew away American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan with his heartfelt performances during Season 21. Starting with an emotionally-charged cover of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” as a tribute to his recently-deceased father, Iam had all of America tearing up with his soulful and formidable vocals and powerful storytelling.

This December, Rick Bartalini Presents (RBP) invites the people of Hawai‘i to come together and warmly welcome Iam home. Known for the light island influence that permeates every note in every song he sings, Iam is definitely one of Hawaii’s own. Ticket prices for the 7,000-seat Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu will start at just $27.50 plus service fees and General Excise Tax. Tickets for the intimate 1250-seat Maui Arts & Cultural Center will start at $64.75. Iam deserves to have his incredible win and breathtaking path to stardom celebrated with the love, pride, and appreciation that only the people of Hawai‘i will truly understand and show.

RBP is excited to welcome Iam back to Hawai‘i with special guests. The promoter said in a statement, “All of us at RBP felt a tremendous surge of pride watching Iam progress through and then win the 21st season of American Idol. We know that the people of Hawai‘i feel the same way. We do expect that demand for tickets will be very high and that these shows will sell out quickly.”

The shows in both Honolulu and Maui promise to be extra special. The Honolulu dates will be the first concerts in the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena since it closed for repairs and renovations in May 2023. RBP is thrilled that Hawaii’s own Iam Tongi will be the first artist to re-open the iconic arena, where generations of the people of Hawai‘i have danced, sang, and made memories with so many legendary performers.

RBP expects the shows in Maui to be deeply meaningful as recovery from the devastating wildfires continues. The statement from RBP says, “All of us on the RBP team, as well as Iam, are heartbroken over the extreme losses that Hawai‘i, and particularly Maui, are currently coping with. We are all hopeful that Iam’s performances will give our community a chance to gather together for a moment of joy and healing in the midst of this painful tragedy as well as a way to honor and celebrate the strength of the Hawaiian spirit. In support of those suffering losses, Rick Bartalini Presents and Iam Tongi will each donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit those affected by the Maui fires. Details on the charitable initiatives are still being finalized and we will provide updates as soon as we can.”

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