Iam Tongi Commissions Custom Wedding Bands with Maui Divers Jewelry and Polynesian Cultural Artist Sam Mangakahia

Iam Tongi, the first contestant from Hawaiʻi to win American Idol (Season 21), collaborated with Maui Divers Jewelry and Polynesian cultural artist Sam Mangakahia (@hamiora.art) to create custom wedding bands that reflect his unique story and heritage.

Iam and Sam first teamed up during American Idol in 2023, when Sam designed a custom guitar adorned with cultural artwork that captured Iam's journey. Their friendship led to further creative projects, from album covers and custom ʻukuleles to guitar straps, slippers, and brand collaborations.

"Iam and I are always bouncing ideas off each other, dreaming up new projects. One day, I brought up Maui Divers Jewelry, and our conversation quickly shifted to his upcoming wedding with Leah—and the idea for custom rings took shape. We thought it would be special to create something deeply personal for their big day. Reaching out to Maui Divers Jewelry felt like the natural next step to bring a ring to life that would tell their story and serve as a lasting symbol."

Sam arranged a call between Maui Divers Jewelry and Iam while Iam was visiting his fiancée, Leah's family in Mexico. During this call, Iam and Leah shared their vision: their wedding bands should reflect the blending of Mayan and Tongan cultures central to their relationship.

Every detail in the rings held significance for Iam and Leah. For Leah, the Maya temple motif symbolized a connection to a higher power—echoing the role of temples in Mayan culture as sacred spaces linking people to the heavens, the earth, and their ancestors. The upward steps serve as a reminder to keep growing and to stay connected to something greater.

For Iam, the Tokelau Feletoa—a traditional Tongan kupesi pattern from Feletoa in Vavaʻu—represented chiefly status and courage. This design, depicting the cross-section of a tuna, is a powerful reminder to lead with bravery while honoring one's heritage.

The creative process began just two weeks before the wedding, with the final ring design selected only days ahead of the ceremony. The team worked through two design revisions to honor Leah's special request for the diamonds.

Throughout, one phrase resonated with the couple: "throughout all time and eternity." Maui Divers Jewelry asked the couple to handwrite this message so they could engrave it inside each of their rings.

At the end of the tour, they received the final wedding bands and fell in love with the eternal symbols of their love. The final design includes a lauhala pattern around each diamond, further reinforcing the message of weaving two cultures.

About Maui Divers Jewelry

Founded in 1959, Maui Divers Jewelry is Hawaiʻi's most celebrated fine jewelry brand — and one of its greatest treasures. For more than six decades, Maui Divers Jewelry's exclusive collection has been proudly designed and crafted exclusively in Hawaiʻi, making the brand a true embodiment of Hawaiʻi's artistry, craftsmanship, and Aloha. From classic Hawaiian Heirloom designs to breathtaking pieces featuring lustrous Hawaiian black coral, pearls, gold, and diamonds, each creation tells a story rooted in the beauty of Hawaiʻi. Maui Divers Jewelry operates retail locations across Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauaʻi, as well as the Maui Divers Jewelry Design House in Honolulu — the only jewelry manufacturing tour in the state — where visitors can witness master artisans at work and experience the magic of jewelry-making firsthand. Shop online at www.MauiDivers.com.

About Sam Mangakahia

Sam Mangakahia is a Polynesian cultural artist and designer who uses art to tell stories and connect people through culture and values. In 2023, while Iam Tongi was competing on American Idol, Sam created a custom guitar that told Iam's story through meaningful cultural designs. Since then, they have become close friends and collaborated on many projects, including an album cover, a custom ʻukulele, guitar straps, slippers, brand collaborations, and more. Their friendship is also strengthened by their shared faith and a mutual love for connecting with people, sharing their talents, and inspiring others through what they do.

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