Unforgettable Hawaiian Film Locations: A Top Ten Guide
Known for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty, Hawaii is a premier destination for visitors looking to experience the idyllic island life. However, what you may not realize is that it is also a popular shooting ground for numerous iconic films throughout history. With this guide, you can meander around ten of the most unforgettable movie locations spread across the islands, each carrying memories of silver screen cinematic moments and movie magic.
The Garden Island: Kauai
Many Hollywood filmmakers have used Kauai’s verdant landscapes in the Hawaiian islands as a backdrop, thanks to its lush rainforests and impressive mountain ranges. It is where Harrison Ford’s character crash landed in “Six Days Seven Nights” and is the home of “Jurassic Park’s” infamous dinosaur island.
Oahu: A Film Paradise
Home to Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, Oahu Island has played host to countless film crews. Its exquisite beaches and landscape were beautifully documented in films like “50 First Dates” featuring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
Romantic Maui
Known as the ‘Valley Isle,’ Maui’s exotic beauty attracted filmmakers who shot the love story between Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston in “Along Came Polly” on its idyllic beaches.
Molokai: Uncharted Beauty
Molokai remains one of Hawaii’s least developed islands, making it perfect for production companies seeking an untouched landscape, like those tasked with creating “The Wind and The Lion.”
Lana’i Island: Rugged Charm
Lana’i provides a beautiful setting with its unique rock formations, dense forests, and stark landscape. It is where Mike Myers kept audiences laughing in “The Love Guru.”
Punchbowl Crater: Honolulu’s Natural Ampitheatre
Known also as Puowaina, Punchbowl Crater has been used as an outdoor location for its striking views of Honolulu. It was the setting for parts of the TV show “Hawaii Five-O.”
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Raw and Unrefined
The park provides unforgettable backdrops with its renowned volcanic landscapes, perfect for blockbuster movies like “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”
The Dazzling Waikiki Beach
The iconic Waikiki Beach was captured debut in numerous films including the classic Elvis Presley movie “Blue Hawaii”.
Pearl Harbor: Historical Significance
The site of one of World War II’s most devastating attacks, Pearl Harbor, was recreated faithfully in the eponymous blockbuster “Pearl Harbor,” breathing life into this historic site.
Banzai Pipeline: Surf’s Up
Its towering waves landing thunderously along the shoreline made Banzai Pipeline a suitable shooting location for adrenaline pumping action sequences and captivating surf scenes in films such as “Blue Crush.”
No guide to Hawaiian film locations can be complete without mention of famous TV shows as well as blockbuster movies. Over the years, Hawaii has served as a shooting location for unforgettable classics like the television series ‘Lost’ and ‘Magnum P.I.’.
Hawaii Five-O: A TV Classic
O’ahu’s scenic beauty served as the backdrop for the majority of shots in this classic police procedural that ran from 1968 to 1980 and was remade in 2010.
Lost: A Modern Masterpiece
The deserted island in the groundbreaking TV show “Lost” was played by Oahu, with many memorable scenes shot at locations such as the North Shore’s Police Beach.
Your Own Cinematic Journey
Whether it is thrill-seeking adventure or soulful expanse of solitude that excites you, Hawaii offers it all. Walking the paths etched by legendary films and characters, you can live your own cinematic journey. Perfect backdrops for selfies guaranteed!
Final Thoughts
Indeed, Hawaii provides more than just nature’s wonders. It supplies scenes of movie history, locations that played a key role in setting the perfect stage for numerous films. Take this guide to experience not only pure Hollywood fascination, but also an exploration journey through paradise. Get your cameras ready and step into the footprints of movie stars that graced these islands.
