American Idol season 21 winner, Iam Tongi, took a break from a series of U.S. tour dates to share his sadness following the devastating wildfires that swept across Lahaina and the island of Maui during an appearance on Good Morning America (GMA) on Thursday (August 17). Tongi, the first Hawaiian and Pacific Islander to win American Idol, also dedicated a cover version of Mel & Tim’s “Starting All Over Again” to those impacted by the wildfires.
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The 18-year-old singer and songwriter also urged his followers to donate where they can to help the efforts in recovery and to aid the victims of the wildfires on the island.
“The way I’m motivating my supporters is asking them to do some research on the right organizations to donate to,” said Tongi during his GMA appearance, “and to also say prayers for Maui.”
We lost what we had / That’s what hurt us so bad / But we’re gonna make it up / Though I know it’s gonna be rough to erase all the hurt and fears sang a visibly emotional Tongi on the acoustic ballad written by Phillip Mitchell. The song seemed to express everything he wanted to say about his native Hawaii in the aftermath of the wildfire disaster.
The singer, who was born and raised on the island of Oahu and relocated to Seattle, Washington, in 2021, said he holds the people of Maui and all of Hawaii close to his heart. He originally released “Starting All Over Again” for the people of Maui, on August 12.
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“Dedicating to all caught in the disaster in Maui,” wrote Tongi in the video caption. “You are always in our hearts and our prayers. Much love as we work together through this.”
Tongi also shared the song on another video post on Instagram and said that the news of Maui has hit him harder than he can express.
“I have thought and rethought about ways I could help the people of Maui, because I feel incapable seeing people donating so much money that I don’t have,” said Tongi. “Talking with family members and watching videos of people helping each other has made me realize there’s so much more way to help.”
He continued, “If you’re donating money, any amount would help as long we try to make sure it’s going to the right hands. If you can’t donate money, we can look into other ways of donating whether it be clothing, food, time… Anyway, the only talent I have is music, and [I] wanted to dedicate this song by Mel and Tim sung by the great Bruddah Iz. I love you Maui, and you’re always in my prayers.”
Correction: The original story stated that Tongi wrote the song “Starting All Over Again,” but it is fact a cover of the song written by Phillip Mitchell and performed by soul duo Mel & Tim. The story has been edited for correction.
Photo: ABC/Eric McCandless
