Johnny Fortuno was an apprentice at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard when a friend heard him singing and said he sounded like Elvis.

Fortuno had never considered a career in entertainment but his co-worker’s invitation to go sing karaoke — and the reaction he got when he did — was the first step toward what became a successful career as an Elvis sound-alike. Fortuno worked with Don Ho in Waikiki, then in Las Vegas, across the mainland and in Europe and Japan.

Fortuno, 42, has headlined “Rock-A-Hula” at the Royal Hawaiian Center since it opened seven years ago.

JOHN BERGER: Some people describe what you do as being a “celebrity impersonator,” some say “impressionist,” some say “tribute artist.” Which term do you prefer?

JOHNNY FORTUNO: When I first started the usual term was “Elvis impersonator,” but I’ve never called myself Elvis or referenced to myself as Elvis onstage so I think I’ve been a tribute artist — not an impersonator.

I’m creating an illusion onstage but everybody knows I’m not Elvis. It’s always been me singing Elvis.

JB: Which song in the show gets the biggest response?

JF: “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” (because) at the end there’s that high note. When I was doing “My Way” in the show, it was “My Way.”

JB: You’ve been singing Elvis for about 20 years and you meet the audience after every show. Are the audiences changing?

JF: Even in the late ’90s most people had a pretty good grasp on Elvis. We still get some hard-core Elvis fans now, but it’s not really so much. I think it’s a testament to Elvis and his style that someone can go into the show who doesn’t really know much about Elvis and by the time it’s over there’s something about that persona that they’re drawn to.

JB: Is there an unforgettable career moment you can share?

JF: When I first started (as Elvis) and I was really into a song I would sing with my eyes closed.

One night I opened my eyes and there was a lady about 2 inches away from me. She had come on stage to hug me, no one had stopped her, and she’d been waiting for me to finish the note.

I jumped. I almost screamed.

JB: What’s the biggest difference between singing Elvis and performing as yourself?

JF: As a lounge act in Vegas (performing as myself), I’d do four 45-minute sets a night, six nights a week to make about the same amount of money — after I paid for a good band — that I’d make doing 20 minutes a night, six nights a week as Elvis.

JB: What do you do to relax?

JF: I go fishing. Or stay home and cut the grass.

JB: Is there something about you that might surprise people who see you at “Rock-A-Hula?”

JF: I helped Don (Ho) put a new roof on his house.