American Idol: Iam Tongi sings in front of family and friends in Hawaii as Top 26 performances begin

Iam Tongi enjoyed a homecoming as the Hawaii native sang for family and friends on Sunday’s episode of American Idol featuring Top 26 performances.

The 18-year-old singer was the last performer during the two-hour episode on ABC, singing Don’t Let Go from Spawnbreezie to a live audience at Disney’s Aulani resort and spa in Kapolei, Hawaii.

Iam, who auditioned in Las Vegas, previously told show mentor Allen Stone, 36, before his performance that Don’t Let Go was a “classic island song.”

“It reminds me of great childhood memories, like walking around the island barefoot, you know, with my guitar,” Iam said, recalling impromptu jam sessions with his friends.

Allen told Iam that his voice was “incomparable” during rehearsal and that Iam was surrounded by his family and friends.

‘I always dreamed of coming to Aulani to perform on a big stage in front of many people. This means a lot. It’s a lot of pressure. Like, I can’t mess it up, you know? I feel like I have to make my island proud,” Iam said in a confessional.

Iam immediately won over the friendly crowd who waved as he sang and interrupted his performance with shouts of support.

‘I love you guys. Shout for my cousins!,” Iam said at the end of the song.

“You have some friends and family there, and new fans too,” said host Ryan Seacrest, 48.

Lionel Richie, 73, was the first to praise Iam.

“I think I had a spiritual experience,” Lionel said. “I’ve been coming to Hawaii for ages, and to see the reaction of people from their hometown watching their hometown hero… I mean, I’m telling you, it’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen . And congratulations, you are our first participant from Hawaii to ever reach this point.”

Katy Perry, 38, told Iam he was “thoroughly authentic.”

“I mean, your voice is like butter. Your voice is vacation. You just get everyone in the mood. Like, Lionel gets everyone in the mood, you get everyone in the mood. … You represent your state so well, and we are so proud to have you on the show,” said Katy.

Luke Bryan, 46, told Iam he could feel and hear the love.

“I was in the mood for so much love, there was someone here screaming like I’ve never heard anyone scream before,” said Luke.

Ryan asked Iam how it felt to perform where he learned music from his late father.

“It’s a little crazy right now. All my people came out and supported. I say I love you all. Thanks guys for coming. It really means a lot to me,’ Iam said.

The Season 21 episode opened with Elise Kristine, 18, of Issaquah, Washington, performing the Bonnie Tyler song Holding Out For a Hero from the soundtrack to the 1984 movie Footloose.

That’s the way to start the show. You killed him,” Lionel told Elise.

Oliver Steele, 25, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, then took the stage and sang the Jack Johnson song Better Together.

‘A way to get to know your audience. A way to choose a cool song that lets the audience enjoy who you are as an artist,” Katy said after his performance.

The show also featured performances by Matt Wilson singing Speechless by Dan + Shay; Kaeyra who delivered Don’t Let Go [Love] from En Vogue and Pjae with Golden by Jill Scott.

Zachariah Smith, 19, of Amory, Mississippi, thrilled the audience with a strong portrayal of Lucille by Little Richard.

‘You’re crazy! I can’t take my eyes off you,” Luke said after Zechariah’s performance.

“You’re insanely talented,” Katy said.

Mariah Faith sang a raspy rendition of Chris Stapleton’s song You Should Probably Leave.

Emma Busse, 20, recorded the Sam Smith song Lay Me Down.

‘Emma keeps going! You sing all the hidden colors, the notes we don’t know exist,’ Katy told her.

Warren Peay, 24, of Bamberg, South Carolina, threw a curveball while recording Adele’s song Set Fire To The Rain.

‘The best thing about this competition is when you sing a song that we don’t expect. Well done,’ Luke told him afterwards.

Nailyah Serenity, 22, from Charlotte, North Carolina, showed off her incredible range with her cover of Minnie Riperton’s Lovin’ You.

‘What was that? I had the pleasure of knowing Minnie when she released that. It is impossible to improve without going to the next level. You’ve gone to the next level,” Lionel said.

The episode also featured Haven Madison The Middle and Lucy Love taking on Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It.

American Idol returns Monday with the remaining 13 of the Top 26 performing with Noah Cyrus, 23, serving as their mentor.