It’s difficult not to fall back on hyperbole when describing Diana Ross and her first-ever Hawaii concerts — two in Honolulu, two on Maui.

Ross, 70, is one of the best known voices — and faces — in 20th-century American music, first as the featured singer of Motown’s The Supremes in the 1960s and then as a solo artist who topped the Billboard Hot 100 with her remake of "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" in 1970. Today she remains one of the world’s most exalted divas — sorry, hyperbole!

Saturday’s show at Blaisdell Arena will be the legendary superstar’s highest-grossing concert in her U.S. touring history, and the four Hawaii shows have already sold a combined 14,000 tickets, with gross sales exceeding $1.4 million, according to promoter Rick Bartalini.

Ross, who lives in Los Angeles and Connecticut, is also famous for not doing interviews, but she agreed to respond to several questions from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser via email. She said she is as excited to perform in Hawaii for the first time as her local fans are to see her.

"I love Hawaii. It is a beautiful ‘island paradise.’ I love the people and I look forward to this visit," she said.

As much as she enjoys touring, Ross relishes her role as a mom and grandmother and said she relies on modern technology to keep in touch with her ohana. Married twice, she has five children and two grandchildren. Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross stars in the ABC hit comedy "black-ish."

"I love being mom and grandma and doing all the grandma things," Ross said. "Yes, I go to the park and read books to my grandchildren. When I’m traveling I actually love to text them or FaceTime, which keeps us very close as a family. I love my iPhone!"

She admits she’s a big fan of YouTube too.

Ross will appear with a 12-piece band and three backup singers, dazzling fans not only with her supple voice and distinctive styling but with a parade of glittery gown changes. If press reviews of her recent shows are any indication, Hawaii concertgoers will be treated to a hit-laden performance of career-defining songs that could also serve as a set list for the past 50 years of American pop music.

From the Supremes era: "Baby Love," "Stop!In the Name of Love," "You Can’t Hurry Love" and "Love Child," among others. From her solo hits: "Touch Me in the Morning,""Upside Down" and "I’m Coming Out." Plus, covers of early rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and disco classics such as "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive."

In a review of her Feb. 3 concert at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, The New York Times called Ross "a human sparkler" who took the stage "with a thousand-watt smile and in a series of sequined dresses wrapped in eruptions of tulle."

For her Hawaii appearances, Bartalini said a number of good seats were released last week for both the Saturday event and Friday’s concert, which was added after the first date became a near sellout hours after it was announced in March.

"Most of the seats that remain are $45 and $65. There are some great seats that we released for $225. It was important to have a range so as many people as possible could afford to see her on this magical first tour of Hawaii," Bartalini said.

The promoter said he will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the Hawaii shows to the Never Surrender Foundation that supports LGBT youths. For more information, visit neversurrenderfoundation.org 

Here’s more of our Q&Awith Ross:

Question: What makes a song a "Diana Ross song" — that is, a song that catches your interest?

Answer: "I like songs about love. I have a lot of love songs in my repertoire. I love songs with a melody, a nice catchy melody that stays with you. The songs from the Motown era were all written with a very … almost spiritual vibe. They have very catchy lyrics. I think that through music the harmony and joy connects with the hearts of the listeners."

Q: Do you think a lot of the young entertainers of the current 20-something generation would benefit from the type of social skills lessons that Motown gave its artists in the ’60s?

A: "Maybe, but I’m not sure. It’s a different time and different energy is needed for performances today. I always say, just have fun with your performance and that happiness will always connect. I think it is important to practice. Focus is important. But always have fun with it."

Q: Are there any young entertainers you enjoy listening to?

A:"Yes, there are many. My son Evan Ross has a new song that is on iTunes now titled, ‘How To Live Alone.’ My daughter Tracee is starring in an incredible television series — it’s very funny — called ‘black-ish.’ My daughter Rhonda Ross is doing live jazz performances all around the U.S. And she is also on YouTube. My son Ross has opened up a beautiful club/lounge in Los Angeles called Warwick. My daughter Chudney has a children’s bookstore in Santa Monica, Calif., called Books and Cookies.

"They’re all pursuing their dreams and desires and we support each other 100 percent."

Q: How do you all stay in touch?

A: "We are a very close family and that all seems to happen naturally. My son will call me when he’s got good news and wants to talk about something or needs advice. We just stay in touch. We really love each other."