Fresh from her sold-out shows in Japan, Australia, Thailand and Taiwan, Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown brought more than enough aloha to fill Aloha Stadium last night.

Even though the 50th State Fair took up much of the parking area and prevented a weekend show, more than 31,000 people attended, making it virtually sold out. Considering that many had recently paid top prices to see Gloria Estefan, the turnout was especially impressive.

Although Houston’s legendary voice wasn’t in peak condition—she had recently canceled a Melbourne show due to throat issues—she remained a consummate professional. Early in the set, during upbeat numbers like “So Emotional” and “I’m Every Woman,” there were few signs of strain. However, during ballads such as “Saving All My Love for You,” the effort became more noticeable.

At times, she visibly pushed for the high notes, adjusting arrangements to suit her range. Aside from slight hoarseness while speaking, the vocal issues were subtle and didn’t significantly detract from the performance. What she lacked in vocal power, she compensated for with enthusiasm and stage presence.

The staging was simple yet elegant, proving that elaborate production wasn’t necessary to engage such a large audience. Houston’s dancing remained somewhat stiff, but her concerts have always centered more on voice and songs than choreography.

And despite the minor issues, her voice still stood out. Her catalog of pop hits and beloved ballads remains deeply embedded in popular music, and even at less than full strength, her vocal ability carried the show.

It had been a decade since Houston last performed in Hawaii, and her first tour in four years followed a period filled with film projects, soundtrack recordings, marriage, and motherhood. None of that diminished her appeal—the crowd responded enthusiastically throughout, especially during “I Will Always Love You” from The Bodyguard.

The evening also had a strong family element. Bobby Brown opened the show with high-energy performances of hits like “My Prerogative” and “On Our Own,” showcasing his trademark charisma. Houston even joined in anonymously on backing vocals during his set.

Brown later reappeared during Houston’s performance, contributing vocals and dance while she changed costumes. The couple made a visible effort to present a united front, bringing their daughter on stage and sharing affectionate moments. Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, also appeared briefly.

For the finale, Houston and Brown performed a lively duet of "Something in Common," closing the show on a high note. Even the most reserved audience members had to acknowledge the couple’s showmanship and professionalism, making it a memorable night for Hawaii fans.

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Whitney Houston roped in half the family to participate in the first of her two concerts. Her husband Bobby Brown sang, gyrated, and offered both emotional and oscular encouragement; her sister-in-law was among the troupe of dancers; her cousin Dionne Warwick joined in with harmonies; and her young nephew even helped out as a stagehand.

The family-first theme extended to her onstage banter. Houston said that when she spotted Warwick earlier in the day, she couldn’t “believe how good (sigh) it feels to see” her, and nearly broke into tears. That kind of heart-on-your-sleeve chatter might seem a bit much to some, but it didn’t bother the enraptured crowd of 1,200.

The audience was delighted with Houston’s performance. Always willing to deviate from standard arrangements, she opened on an up-tempo note, powering through “I’m Every Woman,” “So Emotional,” and a funky version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

Many songs gave Houston the chance to showcase her vocal gymnastics, her voice dipping and soaring with ease. Backed by a 12-piece band, she was confident and energetic throughout—whether delivering gospel numbers from The Preacher’s Wife, revisiting earlier hits like “All at Once” and “The Greatest Love of All,” or performing her biggest-selling single, “I Will Always Love You.”

That final song stood out as a bravura performance—the highlight of a strong show with few weak moments.

(The Age)

1. I'm Every Woman

2. So Emotional

3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

4. All at Once (Snippet)

5. Saving All My Love for You

6. The Greatest Love of All

7. Queen of the Night

8. My Name Is Not Susan

9. All the Man That I Need

10. A Song for You (Performed by Bobby Brown)

11. Exhale (Shoop Shoop)

12. Count on Me (with Cece Winans)

13. Freeway of Love

14. I Love the Lord

15. I Go to the Rock

16. I Will Always Love You

17. Step by Step

18. Something in Common (with Bobby Brown)

1. I'm Every Woman

2. So Emotional

3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

4. All at Once (Snippet)

5. Saving All My Love for You

6. The Greatest Love of All

7. Queen of the Night

8. My Name Is Not Susan

9. All the Man That I Need

10. A Song for You (Performed by Bobby Brown)

11. Exhale (Shoop Shoop)

12. Freeway of Love

13. I Love the Lord

14. I Go to the Rock

15. I Will Always Love You

16. Step by Step

17. Something in Common (with Bobby Brown)

Never before in the history of man have Japan's borders been breeched by a foreign force, until now. Armed with soul, rhythm and lots of love, Whitney Houston and crew arrived and conquered the entire nation in one week of concerts that will be remembered forever.

The curtain rose on the first show at Osaka's Jo Hall to a sold-out, standing-room-only house on Monday May 5th. While the band started into the customized opening piece "Nippy Nine-Seven," the crowd, in typical Japanese fashion, sat in polite and subdued applause. That didn't last long.

As the band segued into "I'm Every Woman," Whitney's voice filled the hall as she rose gloriously and suddenly appeared at the very top of the stage. Instantly, the crowd was on its feet dancing, clapping and singing along - certainly not acting very Japanese but then Whitney has that effect on people.

Whitney ripped through the first three numbers non-stop with "So Emotional" and "Dance With Somebody" following the opener. At this point, the building could have lost all power and the lights would have stayed on there was so much energy flowing through the house. In Whitney's own words, "There's going to be a lot of love coming from this stage. I want you to mix it with your love and throw it back to us. Can you do that Osaka?" Yes they could.

Whitney and company, nine strong band members, four dancers and four back-up singers led by music director Rickey Minor, then continued the celebration with "All At Once," "Saving All My Love," "The Greatest Love Of All." During "Saving All My Love," Whitney strolled off stage right to give husband Bobby Brown a kiss. She then opened "The Greatest Love Of All" with this message to the audience, "Don't believe everything you read in the press."

These were followed by "Queen Of The Night," "My Name Is Not Susan" and the song she dedicated to Bobby, "All The Man I Need." Whitney then asked the audience if they would mind if Bobby sang them a song. To the cries of "Bobby" from the crowd, Whitney exited the way she arrived and Bobby jumped into the Elton John classic, "A Song For You."

Whitney took the stage back with "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and proceeded to teach the audience how to Shoop! I believe it was the section behind stage right that won the competition, but suffice it to say that there are 16,000+ Japanese that could now be back-up singers for Whitney on this song now.

Proclaiming her love for the Lord, Whitney eased into "I Love The Lord" and "I Go To The Rock." These were followed by the closer "I Will Always Love You." Of course there was no escaping this easily as the jumping, cheering and applauding audience brought Whitney and the band back for encores of "Step By Step" and the revised version of "I'm Every Woman."

So does that sound like a good, no, GREAT show? As the old saying goes, "You ain't heard nothing yet!"