Gathered around the microphone in the recording studio, the young members of the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus were poised to record their vocals for the soundtrack of the new live-action Lilo and Stitch remake. The youngsters were following in the footsteps of their predecessors, as the Chorus also provided vocals for the original cartoon in 2002. To record the song ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ in 2025, the Chorus was joined by fellow Hawaiian artist Iam Tongi.
While Iam Tongi and the Children’s Chorus provided their own take on the song, Music Man fans who loved the Lilo and Stitch original soundtrack will be pleased to hear that they still managed to capture the spirit of the original song perfectly. One viewer online commented, “This still has the same vibes as the animated version, which brings back so many memories [of] when I first saw Lilo and Stitch.” The remake of the song has been a big hit with fans, gaining 23M views in only a month.
I was only young myself when the original cartoon was released, making me the perfect demographic for the film. However, as a British child, this was the first time I was ever exposed to Hawaiian music and culture. Upon watching the film, I absolutely fell in love with the songs, listening to the soundtrack on repeat and branching out to discover the broader landscape of the music of Hawaii. The original’s impact on me makes it extra touching to see the original chorus return for the remake.
Iam Tongi celebrated his involvement in the soundtrack with a return to the set of American Idol, which he won in 2023, along with the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus for a performance of ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.’ When our Music Man readers watch the video, the joy that saturates the performance both onstage and off is sure to be palpable through the screen, as the singers onstage grin their way through the performance, and the audience dances and claps along.
The new Lilo and Stitch soundtrack also saw the return of Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu to perform ‘He Lei Pāpahi No Lilo a me Stitch’, alongside a performance of ‘Aloha ʻOe’ by lead actors Sydney Agudong and Maia Kealoha. While the Lilo and Stitch remake has faced criticism for cutting depictions of overtourism in Hawaii that featured in the original cartoon, the authenticity of the soundtrack has stood out.
With native Hawaiian artists sharing their talents and capturing not only the spirit of the original film but also the living traditions and cultural significance of Hawaiian music, their contributions to the soundtrack ground the remake in its cultural roots and allow for new generations to connect to the real stories and culture that inspired it.
The Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus and Iam Tongi have beautifully revived the spirit of ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,’ enchanting a new generation while stirring nostalgia among long-time fans. Their rendition not only pays homage to the beloved original but also showcases the vibrant essence of Hawaiian music. If you’re eager to explore more about this stunning remake and the artists behind it, follow the links below to continue your musical journey.