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A Guide to the Most Popular Film Locations in Hawaii

Hollywood’s love affair with Hawaii goes all the way back to the 1930s, when the American musical “Waikiki Wedding” was shot here. The rugged beauty of the islands makes them a wonderful place to shoot movies.

A Guide to the Most Popular Film Locations in Hawaii

Here are some of the most popular film locations in Hawaii:

  1. Kauai
    Another film, “Blue Hawaii” (1961), was also shot in Kauai, with rock legend Elvis Presley in the lead role. The film was a box office hit and was among the top 10 grossing films of that year. Presley played Chadwick Gates, a young man who returns home to Hawaii after getting discharged from the military.

    Other films that were shot in Kauai’s Na Pali Coast include action flicks like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) and “Jurassic Park” (1993), both directed by Steven Spielberg. The former has Harrison Ford playing the iconic role of Dr. Indiana Jones, while the latter won three Academy Awards for its technical merits. Both films were commercial successes.

    There are tours that will take you to the “Jurassic Falls” on the island, and though swimming is not allowed, the cascading waters are a sight to behold – so bring your cameras and prepare to be amazed.

  2. Oahu
    The third largest Hawaiian island has been the backdrop for several TV shows, including “Hawaii Five O.” The cop drama aired from 1968 to 1980. The 2010 reboot is also filmed in Oahu, with shoots taking place at the Ali?iolani Hale courthouse, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and various locations throughout the beautiful island.

    Some scenes from the 1980s TV crime drama “Magnum, P.I.” were filmed here, featuring cinematic shots of the Diamond Head volcano, Sandy Beach, Makapu?u Point Lighthouse, and By?d?-In, a reconstruction of a Japanese temple on the Kane?ohe hillside.

    The 2004 film “50 First Dates” starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler was also shot in Oahu. In it, Sandler plays Henry, a commitment-phobic man who falls in love with a woman he meets at a local diner. The romantic comedy grossed over $196.3 million despite getting mixed reviews from critics.

    2011’s critically acclaimed “The Descendants,” a family drama starring George Clooney, was also filmed in Oahu.

  3. Maui
    Some scenes in the action flick “Point Break” (2015)were shot at Jaws-Peahi, Maui’s largest surf break. A remake of a 1991 film of the same name, the film follows an NBI agent (Luke Bracey) who infiltrates a group of extreme athletes who pull off a string of sophisticated heists in Mexico and Mumbai.

    Other films that were partly shot in Maui include “The Hulk” (2003) – the last scene was shot on the Kahakaloa side of the island – and“Die Another Day” (2002).

Live close to these film-worthy locations. Call me, Greg Burns, at 808-214-0302, send an email to Greg(at)IsleLuxury(dotted)com for more information on Hawaii real estate.