Elvis loved quite a few things: luxury cars, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and Hawaii. The King of Rock and Roll spent nearly 20 years of his life visiting Hawaii, and more specifically, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, an iconic resort that’s still open today — and brimming with fellow Elvis fans who want a glimpse into the King’s past.

The resort has an elite roster of famous fans who’ve roamed its halls, from Barack Obama to Ronald Reagan to Michael Jackson. But Elvis is regarded as the superstar who put this hotel on the map, having filmed “Blue Hawaii” on its property in 1961 and returning frequently over the course of two decades.

As you can imagine, the hotel has embraced the iconic connection. Visitors can explore the resort’s timeline wall, which features photos of Presley during his stays, information about the star, and memorabilia from his various visits.

Why did Elvis Presley love this hotel?

Initially, the Hilton Hawaiian Village served as the filming location for Elvis’s movie “Blue Hawaii.” There aren’t many reports on why Elvis loved this specific hotel, but it’s the only one he stayed at while visiting Hawaii (which he did quite a bit).

Kathleen King, an art gallery owner on Waikiki Beach, met Elvis in 1966 while he was filming the movie “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” She told Elvis Information Network that he was always happy to sign autographs, but fans were extremely cordial, leaving the star to enjoy his vacation after meeting him.

“That is one of the reasons Elvis kept returning to Hawaii — he wasn’t hassled or bothered by the press or the fans,” author Sanja Meegin wrote, following her research into the area.

Meegin did quite a bit of research into the star’s Hawaii ventures. She found a telegram Elvis sent to the Honolulu Star newspaper in 1957, ahead of his first visit to the resort:

“I know I will enjoy your islands. Like to surf and swim. Getting good tan on board. Have read about Hawaiian hospitality and am eagerly looking forward to same,” Elvis wrote.

Inside Elvis Presley’s favorite hotel room

When he stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1957 and 1961, Elvis stayed in the Ali’i Oceanfront Presidential Suite on the 14th floor of the Rainbow Tower.

In the ‘60s, Elvis was known to rent out the whole floor for his entourage. These days, the Ali’i Presidential Suite is available across two full floors (the 14th and 15th). It comes with a number of stunning features, including:

• The ability to sleep seven
• A 285-square-foot balcony
• A large living room
• An entry foyer
• A wet bar
• Premium resort amenities and services
• Oceanfront views
• Security alarms
• Optional: Private lobby check-in
• Optional: Private pool, bar, and fitness center

The King was known to stay in the presidential suite, but you don’t need to book one yourself to step in his shoes. He famously held a press conference prior to the Pearl Harbor benefit concert in the hotel’s Carousel Room. Information about this room is not publicly available, so when you visit, be sure to ask the hotel staff to point you in the right direction.

What other celebrities love this resort?

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is no stranger to superstar guests. While Elvis is among the resort’s most notable famous fans, it has hosted a number of big names.

Michael Jackson stayed at the hotel in 1997 and stayed on the 14th floor of the Ali’i Tower in the Mahele Suite, according to Hawaii News Now.

“We had customers on property day and night,” recalled Lani Bjork, head of security at the resort in 1997. “He came out to the lanai to wave to them and you could hear that wave of Michael, Michael, throughout the evening.”

The resort has also hosted several presidents in the past few decades, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford.

More recently, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White filmed an episode of “Wheel of Fortune” at the resort in 2024.

How to experience Hawaii like Elvis

To Elvis, Hawaii wasn’t just a vacation destination — it was a livelihood. The singer loved the locale so much that he incorporated elements of Hawaii into his music, his films, and his own home at Graceland.

Numerous blogs, books, and archives note that Elvis loved Hawaii for its atmosphere, notably its stunning natural features (including its waterfalls and relaxing beaches). There are hundreds of pictures available online of the star enjoying his time in Hawaii. Based on what we’ve found, you can experience Hawaii like Elvis by:

• Sunbathing. The beaches were a huge draw for Elvis, where he was often found sunbathing and relaxing on white sands.
• Visiting the Halona Blowhole lookout: Want to see the Halona Blowhole? Elvis did — check out the natural formation to step into the King’s literal footsteps.
• Renting a speedboat: Elvis was spotted doing all manner of water sports during his 1968 vacation, including driving a speedboat and paddling on a floating device.
• Getting on those water skis: Hawaii’s beaches are the perfect spots for waterskiing, even if you’ve never done it before. Elvis was spotted trying out the sport for himself during a Hawaii vacation.
• Swimming: You don’t visit Hawaii and spend hours on the beach without going for a dip. Elvis has been spotted swimming during nearly every trip he has on record.
• Surfing: As noted in his own telegram, Elvis was a surfer, and he enjoyed practicing his craft during visits to The Aloha State.

Michelle Pfeiffer & Kurt Russell in Montana Series ‘The Madison’ Trailer

by Alex Billington
February 24, 2026
Source: YouTube

“That’s why I’m here… I make a memory a day.” Paramount+ has debuted their main official trailer for the series titled The Madison, the next follow-up to the mega hit “Yellowstone” from Taylor Sheridan. It’s not a direct continuation but follows through with another story of families out on the range. This launches for streaming starting in March to watch. A heartfelt study of grief & human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana. A big city family’s life unravels after a tragedy, as they process grief while vacationing out in rural Montana, exploring human connection amidst profound sorrow. From Taylor Sheridan – starring Michelle Pfeiffer & Kurt Russell as the leads. The Madison is Sheridan’s most intimate work to date, an emotional series set across two distinct worlds – the beautiful landscape of Montana and the vibrant energy of Manhattan – as it examines ties that bind families together. The full cast also includes Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Matthew Fox, Beau Garrett, Amiah Miller, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers, Rebecca Spence, Alaina Pollack, & Danielle Vasinova. As beautiful and wholesome as this seems, it also looks like Trad Wives: The Series with all these women living large on this lovely ranch.

Here’s the full official trailer (+ new poster) for Paramount+’s series The Madison, direct from YouTube:

You can rewatch the teaser trailer for Paramount+’s The Madison series right here for the first look again.

“A heartfelt exploration of human connection.” The upcoming streaming series follows the Clyburn family, initially from New York City, who move to the Madison River valley of southwest Montana for emotional recovery following a tragedy that shattered the family. The Madison is a TV series created and written by acclaimed writer / producer Taylor Sheridan (Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River, “Yellowstone”, “1883”, “1923”, “Tulsa King”, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves”). With episodes written by Taylor Sheridan. This is a continuation of the “Yellowstone” series by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. Featuring episodes directed by Christina Alexandra Voros. Made by Linson Entertainment Bosque Ranch Prods, 101 Studios, Paramount Television. It’s xecutive produced by Keith Cox, Michael Friedman, David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Art Linson, John Linson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Bob Yari, Kurt Russell. Paramount debuts The Madison series streaming on Paramount+ starting March 14th, 2026 coming soon.

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In partnership with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), NaphCare, a leading correctional healthcare company, has launched the THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) program at the Washoe County Detention Facility — the first program of its kind in Nevada.

The JBCT program delivers full competency restoration services within the detention facility to individuals whom the court has found incompetent to stand trial. By providing treatment on-site, the program prevents delays in the restoration process and reduces reliance on limited state forensic hospital beds.

The program builds on the facility’s innovative THRIVE Jail-Based Treatment Program (JBTP), which launched in September 2024 to begin intensive mental health treatment for individuals awaiting restoration at the state-operated forensic hospital. As a fully implemented JBCT program, THRIVE now provides comprehensive competency restoration services directly within the jail — something previously not permitted in Nevada. This advancement allows detained individuals to receive targeted treatment and evaluations needed to restore competency and move their legal cases forward.

“The THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment program represents years of work by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to rethink how detention facilities respond to mental health,” said Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam. “This program reflects what can happen when public safety, healthcare professionals, and community partners come together with a shared goal. By expanding mental health treatment inside our facility, we’re helping individuals move forward in the legal process while supporting safer outcomes for our staff, our community, and those in our care suffering from mental health issues.”

THRIVE operates within a dedicated Jail-Based Mental Health Unit designed to increase patient participation, promote wellness, and maintain safety and security. Specially trained WCSO deputies assigned to the unit collaborate daily with NaphCare’s clinical team to create a structured, therapeutic environment focused on restoration and recovery.

Across the country, correctional facilities are experiencing a surge in court-ordered competency evaluations and restoration needs, driven by increasing numbers of individuals living with mental illness and disabilities in jail settings.

“The competency crisis has grown within correctional facilities nationwide as more justice-involved individuals are waiting for the specialized services they need to advance through the justice system,” said Dr. Caroline Parrott, NaphCare’s Vice President of Forensic Mental Health Programs and a clinical forensic psychologist.

Delays in restoration prolong detention, increase costs to taxpayers, and raise due process concerns, including the right to a speedy trial. The longer individuals wait for treatment, the longer it can take to restore competency — and in some cases, the likelihood of restoration decreases. Extended delays can also result in case dismissals, impacting victims and the broader justice system.

The JBCT program is the culmination of years of partnership and progress between NaphCare and WCSO. In March 2023, NaphCare partnered with WCSO to address lengthy delays in competency evaluations for detained individuals. With support from the Washoe County Competency Court, NaphCare began delivering high-quality, timely competency-to-stand-trial evaluations for all defendants housed at the Washoe County Detention Facility, eliminating unnecessary delays at the front end of the process.

Building on that success, NaphCare worked closely with WCSO and local and statewide stakeholders to develop and implement the THRIVE jail-based treatment model. In July 2025, Assembly Bill 467 amended Nevada Revised Statutes to authorize competency restoration treatment within jail settings for certain detained individuals, making the full JBCT program possible.

“Thanks to the efforts of Nevada’s legislators, the Governor’s office, and the support of key community and state stakeholders such as the Division of Public and Behavioral Health and WCSO,” said Dr. Parrott, “THRIVE is able to provide targeted competency restoration treatment so we can directly address barriers to competency head on. The result is faster rates of restoration without burdening the state system unnecessarily. This program is a valuable step forward for our patients and for the legal process in Washoe County.”

Individuals in the THRIVE JBCT program receive individualized mental health and medical treatment alongside specialized forensic services provided by a multidisciplinary team. In addition to the JBCT program, NaphCare continues to provide the Washoe County Forensic Evaluation Program for pre-commitment competency evaluations and specialized adult mental health evaluations, as well as comprehensive medical, mental health, dental, and pharmaceutical services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP).

The Washoe County Detention Facility is accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and was a 2024 recipient of the NCCHC Pinnacle Award, the highest distinction in correctional healthcare, recognizing accreditation across jail health services, mental health services, and opioid treatment programs.