PHOTOS: 18 y.o Hawaiian, Iam Tongi wins 'American Idol' Season 21

On Sunday night, 18-year-old Tongi was crowned the season 21 American Idol.

"American Idol" Season 21 delivered yet another shock during its tense finale. Sunday's three-hour broadcast, which aired live on ABC coast-to-coast, saw the final three contestants − Megan Danielle, Colin Stough and Iam Tongi − each take the stage for the last time to win votes from viewers. Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie provided feedback as usual, but in this last leg of the competition, all they could offer was praise and good wishes as the singers leave the show to embark on their music careers. 

The final three each sang two songs: one by guest mentor Keith Urban and another in tribute to their hometowns.

Then, host Ryan Seacrest revealed which contestants made the Top 2, and those singers went head-to-head with original songs. Tongi got the crowd chanting his name after singing Urban's "Making Memories of Us," Danielle belted to the heavens with a Journey classic and Stough brought his good 'ol country boy charm to a Chris Stapleton hit.

Tongi is originally from Kahuku, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii, and is of Tongan, Samoan and Irish descent. The 18-year-old singer is a senior at Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington, outside of Seattle, where he and his family moved three years ago. When asked why he moved by the judges, Tongi said his family was "priced out of paradise.''

Tongi told the Kent Reporter that he wears a warm scarf around his neck and drinks plenty of fluids to preserve his voice. He explained that he performs this ritual because he loses his voice before every performance.

Iam Tongi becomes first Pacific Islander to win American Idol

Hearty congratulations to Tongi and Hawaii!!! 

Toyeen B's World: Full list of former American Idol winners & runners-up.