More than 50 years ago, when the legendary rock band Journey was just starting out, it had its second public concert at the Sunshine Festival at Diamond Head Hill Crater in front of more than 100,000 people.
Neal Schon, the band’s lead guitarist, was on stage. Now, he and the band are back for the “Final Frontier Tour 2026,” with three days of performances, produced by Rick Bartalini Presents, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. The performances are at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 6, and Tuesday, Sept. 8. Get tickets.
Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Rick Blangiardi presented the band with proclamations inside the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, where they will perform. The governor also presented a guitar.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible honor,” said Schon at the media event. “Hawaiʻi has always been a part of Journey's heart from the very beginning. We played Diamond Head Crater on New Year's Day in 1974. And even before Journey, I had the incredible experience of playing here in 1972 with Carlos Santana and Santana Band, so the connection with Hawaiʻi and myself goes back way beyond 50 years. To be standing here today and receiving this recognition means more to me than I can say in words. The people of Hawaiʻi have always welcomed us with so much love, and I want you to all know that we love you right back, always.”
Jonathan Cain, who plays keyboard and guitar and is known for his songwriting, also took the mic.
“The aloha spirit in these islands is so rare,” Cain said. “The people that have continued to ask for Journey over the years — the fans, the commitment, the loyalty — is unprecedented. I've never seen anything like it. … I came here [to Hawaiʻi] as a ʻnew guy’ in 1981, and I'll never forget.”
The show will feature popular hits and more, he said.
“Get ready for an evening with three nights of our entire legacy,” he said. “We're playing the hits and we're playing the deep cuts.”
Green took a few moments to thank the band.
“In every way, you've been special to us and when you land here in Hawaiʻi to do a few concerts for thousands and thousands of our residents, we are just overwhelmed,” he said. “To say that we are excited would be the understatement of the decade, frankly. … Thank you for giving us these incredible songs — ʻDon't Stop Believin’” — thank you for inspiring generations of people.”
The governor also teased the band should consider taking up residence in the Islands.
“We encourage you to move and relocate here to Hawaiʻi here after,” the governor said, as members of the press pool laughed.
Journey, which has more than 28.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, formed in 1973, and has earned 19 top 40 singles and 25 Gold and Platinum albums, according to their artist bio on the streaming platform. The band has sold nearly 100 million albums globally. Popular songs include “Don’t Stop Believin,’ ” “Faithfully” and more.
Journey has performed 34 times in Hawaiʻi, including 30 appearances on Oʻahu and 26 shows at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, as well as performances at the University of Hawaiʻi, Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Queen’s Marketplace Amphiteatre in Waikoloa Beach Resort, according to the website for entertainment promoter Rick Bartalini’s website.
Tickets start at $71.25. Get tickets.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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