When Elvis Presley wasn’t dazzling fans on stage or shooting one of his many movies, he enjoyed getting some well-deserved R&R at his favorite tropical location.
In fact, one of his favorite spots was a location where Elvis spent a lot of time working: Hawaii. According to the Graceland website, in between shooting movies in the Aloha state, he would use his time off to bask in the Hawaiian sun.
From his first visit in November 1957 to his last vacation in March of 1977, Elvis loved Hawaii. He would visit the chain of islands on many occasions.
In addition to shooting three movies in Hawaii (Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Paradise, Hawaiian Style), he also performed in Hawaii on multiple occasions. One of his most notable performances was his show on January 14, 1973, broadcast worldwide as “Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii.”
Elvis Presley’s Love for the Island Life
In 1961, Elvis starred in Blue Hawaii, which was shot in numerous locations on the island of Oahu. Several scenes of Paradise, Hawaiian Style, were shot on the island of Maui. The movie also featured footage from the Kona Coast near Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
During his first trip in 1957, Elvis performed at Honolulu Stadium on November 11, followed by a performance at the Schofield Army Barracks on November 11.
One of Elvis’ most memorable performances was at the Pearl Harbor naval base on March 25, 1961. The performance was part of a benefit concert to raise money to create a USS Arizona memorial to honor those who died at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Even after its construction, Elvis would make numerous trips back to the monument.
In between performing and shooting movies, Elvis would bring his family and friends to the island. In 1969, Elvis, Priscilla, and his daughter, Lisa Marie, flew to Hawaii for a vacation. However, while traveling, the family decided to keep a low profile and used a different last name: Carpenter. In Elvis’ film, Change of Habit, Elvis starred as Dr. John Carpenter in his final feature film role.
Elvis loved Hawaii’s beauty and island life so much that he brought it home to Graceland. In his Memphis mansion, he included lush greenery, tranquil waters, and an island vibe. Today, fans can see his love for Hawaii’s laidback nature come to life in Elvis’ “Jungle Room.” Not only did it become a favorite place for Elvis to relax in, but Elvis also recorded music in his “Jungle Room.”
