Customer Reviews

Elvis in Hawaii

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All Elvis fans will recognize this title as a line from the song Blue Hawaii sung by Elvis in the movie with the same title.
However it's not only that it's also what Jerry Hopkins new book is all about; Telling the story of Elvis, following his dreams and having fun in paradise surroundings. Elvis visited the Hawaiian Islands many times, sometimes for business when filming on location or for one of the six live performances on the islands but also for a (well-deserved) vacation.

Jerry takes the reader on a stroll through the 50's, 60's and 70's as we follow Elvis from his first visit to the Islands in 1957 till his last visit 20 years later. Besides the obvious close-up look at the 3 "Hawaiian movies" ( Blue Hawaii / Girls Girls Girls / Paradise Hawaiian Style) the reader also gets to "hear" such funny stories as how the first concert in Hawaii (1957) was finalized (Colonel Tom Parker is supposed to have made a deal with an Australian promoter by winning a "game of dice" !!) and the story about a hilarious concert promotion by an Elvis impersonator
(No, this time there was no involvement by The Colonel). Not only do we get to know more about Elvis' activities in Hawaii, we also get to learn a bit more about Hawaii' natives with an Elvis connection, such as Karate teacher Ed Parker and James Shigeta (co-star in Paradise Hawaiian Style).

However, to me the highlight of this book must be the sections where we get to hear the stories of people who where actually there at the time.
People like country comedian Minnie Pearl, Velma Fisher (passenger on the SS Matsonia that sailed Elvis to Hawaii on his first trip in 1957), Tom Moffatt (Hawaiian D.J.) and Marty Pasetta (producer of the Aloha from Hawaii special). All have an interesting story to tell about their time with Elvis.

To me this book is a welcome addition to Jerry' previous two Elvis-biographies (Elvis: A Biography & Elvis: The Final Years). The book also features about 100 photos of which some are rare or never seen before. Quality of the photos varies from fair to very clear but the majority of them are interesting to see.

This leaves us with one big question: "Why did Elvis love Hawaii so much ?" I think the answer to this question can be found all-over in this book but is best described by Tom Moffatt when he says: "In Hawaii he could relax and wander more freely ...... people here respect his privacy"
Guess that alone was enough for Elvis to make Hawaii his paradise...............

Elvis In Hawai'i is a unique look at the life of the legendary rock singer Elvis Presley, focusing especially on his love of the Hawai'ian islands and the people who lived there. Elvis' fondness of his favorite vacation spot is brought to life with over 100 black-and-white and color photographs, some never before published, and an upbeat yet adroitly narrated text by Jerry Hopkins. Elvis In Hawai'i is especially recommended reading for the legions of fans and admirers of "The King" of rock 'n roll.

Elvis had an affinity for Hawaii: he made three films there, did six concerts (including the historic 'Aloha' satallelite broadcast, and had many longtime friends. This loving assemblage of pictures and anecdotes, by one of Presley's first biographers, is full of the kind of critical judgment and eye for local detail that is often lost in fan-oriented books of this sort. There's pictures of him being casual with local people, accepting local awards, hanging out at the local radio station, and having a good time all around. Profusely illustrated with photos from private collections as well as official documents, this is a lovely keepsake.

This book is written by the guy who wrote the only serious Elvis biography while Elvis was alive, but this is not at all like that book. Instead, it's packed with great photos of Elvis in Hawaii, many from the local paper. There's also set lists from the benefit concerts he did -- written by hand by Elvis! Very fun!

Nice, easy readin' by Elvis first true Biographer. This is more a relaxed, conversational reflection on a big part of Elvis Presley's career (and personal life).
Hopkins' objectivity is notable, but this Reviewer feels that JH should revisit Elvis' second filmed visit to the 50th State: "Girls! Girls! Girls!" of course could have stood some intelligent post-production cuts (and adds: a cool Rocker "Plantation Rock" and an exceptionally fine love ballad "I Don't Want To" - supporting a great production number only excerpted in the Trailor - were not included).
Drammatically, it was superior to "Blue Hawaii", in fact, Elvis is remarkably strong in many scenes; I'll concede that the soundtrack isn't as good as the '61 effort, but how can Hopkins say that it had one good song, "Return To Sender"? The title tune is a Coasters classic. It was great that Elvis, in a way, rescued a "lost" hit. "Where Do You Come From?" was the flipside of "Sender", and Presley is all over it. (Another missing song in the movie - it survived merely as a line of dialogue).
Along with many other lost career chances, "Hawaii" does factor in for the Big El. Why not film the '61 Benefit Show? Why not do a proper recording?It would have been Elvis' first live album! Jumping to 1973, why did Elvis (apparently) opt for mellow, middle-of-the-road renditions, when the fans were hungry for the raw Elvis of the 1968 NBC Special?

This book is a wonderful description of the times and events that Elvis spent on Hawaii. From making three movies "Blue Hawaii", "Girls, Girls,Girls" and "Paradise Hawaiian Style" to his "Aloha from Hawaii" concert. Even the explanation of his involvement of the construction of the U.S.S Arizona Memorial in 1961.
Had it not been for Elvis, there wouldn't be a Memorial for the U.S.S Arizona today. At the time Elvis received great praise and a plaque was placed at the memorial for his efforts. Yet today the plaque is gone, Elvis's contribution to the U.S.S Arizona nearly erased from memory.
The "Aloha from Hawaii" concert was a benefit for a cancer center. We need to remind people that Elvis was not just an entertainer, but he gave so much to needy causes.
The book is filled with pictures, memorabilia and a wealth of inside information on his life.
Elvis in Hawaii is a wonderful glimpse into the amazing time that Elvis spent in paradise.