Iam Tongi performs at Homecoming concert at Turtle Bay Resort
It's been a whirl wind week for American Idol contestant Iam Tongi.
On Sunday evening (US time), Iam made the Final 3 in this season of American Idol, he travelled back to Hawai'i where he grew up and received an honourary diploma and a special haka from his former high school on the North Shore - Kahuku High School - then was given a homecoming parade the next day with a homecoming concert at Turtle Bay Resort.
Watc Iam's perforrmances of popular Tongan song 'Efiafi, peau ongo'i vale' by Sione Niupalavu Tatu, Spawn Breezies 'Don't Let Go', Jack Johnson's 'Pancakes' and then a special rendition of his break out Idol performance 'Monsters' by James Blunt in the video above.
Full performance of Monsters in the video towards the end of this article
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Check out some of the behind the scenes team putting together the event for the young, up and coming star below -
The Rocks stunt double Tanoa'i Reed was on hand with some of his warriors ready to escort Iam on stage when he arrived.
Hawai'i Governor Josh Green was present at the concert and Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi declared the 16th of May as Iam Tongi Day!
At one point during the concert everyone was showered with gorgeous smelling plumeria aka frangipani petals donated by the Little Plumeria Farm.
The crowd was treated to a performance by Iam Tongi backed by the Common Kings and was also joined by local Hawai'i based artists like Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga and John Cruz.
Common Kings rocked out after Iam and Kahuku High students closed out the stage performances with a spine tingling haka.
Watch his full, emotional performance of 'Monsters' with his family with him on stage and you can catch some of the Hawai'i News Now's coverage in the videos below -
All video footage and photos above by William Numanga unless stated otherwise
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