Hawaiian Singer's National Anthem Goes Viral

Willie K sings the national anthem at Aloha Stadium

Over the weekend, Hawaiian singer and musician Willie K was tapped to sing the national anthem at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Keeping the lyrics by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willie K made the song his own, and went viral in doing so.

According to folks on Twitter, Willie is considered a state treasure and currently battling lung cancer.

Watch below.

I can assure you you have never seen the Star-Spangled Banner performed like this before. pic.twitter.com/Rc8eO9uPid

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 21, 2018

As always, folks had their opinions about the performance.

This first tweet is from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Willie K is a national treasure. https://t.co/utJapUZVOJ

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) October 22, 2018

I think it's horrible at best. The National Anthem isn't a song you can make your own. The song was owned by a country and it's lyrics etched in blood. It's not a game show song, so quit playing with it. Sing it as it is written.

— JD (@JD1043) October 21, 2018

Actually it’s a poem set to the music of a fraternity song about having a huge penis but please go on https://t.co/LHgKY7EgoI

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 21, 2018

This is not the national anthem!

— Brad Stevens' Shoes (@minijoo) October 21, 2018

The hell you talking about? This is the best rendition I've heard in a long time

— Vote 11/6 (@bradbrennan) October 21, 2018

Normally, I would be against a rendition like this, saying that it doesn’t sound like the anthem. But, wow, Willie K, that voice. It may not have sounded like the anthem, but it sounded like something straight from the heart. Beautiful. https://t.co/QZ5Ud6nLHS

— Josh Pacheco (@Joshontheradio) October 21, 2018

Hawaii football game opens with most beautiful national anthem rendition | Listen to Willie K's soulful version of The Star-Spangled Banner.

| https://t.co/OyhcWU0Jqd

— Rocketnews (@Rocketnews1) October 21, 2018

Amazing.....from WillieK, Hawaiian legend....this is good stuff....usually I’m not a fan of messing with the star spangled banner, but this leaves you with lump in your throat.....just incredible https://t.co/daR4SjQxdy

— marc polymeropoulos (@Mpolymer) October 22, 2018