Set-jetting in Hawai‘i: The must-visit Hawaiian Islands for film buffs

Set-jetting in Hawai‘i: The must visit Hawaiian Islands for film buffs 

O‘ahu 

O‘ahu has served as a backdrop for numerous iconic films and TV shows, from the classic Hawai‘i Five-O to blockbuster hits like Jurassic Park. Fans may be interested in staying at Turtle Bay Resort, known for scenes in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The picturesque Kawela Bay, with its calm waters, also featured prominently in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. 

For a deeper dive into Hollywood’s history in the region, the Movie Sites & Ranch Tour at Kualoa Ranch offers an unforgettable experience. This nature reserve has hosted over 200 productions, including memorable scenes from Jurassic Park and Lost. 

Additionally, while much of the film Pearl Harbor was shot in California, the site remains a key attraction in Hawai‘i, commemorating the sailors lost during the 1941 attack. 

Other notable filming locations include the Honolulu Elks Lodge, which has appeared in Magnum P.I. and The Descendants, highlighting O‘ahu’s cinematic legacy. 

Maui 

Quite a few movies and television shows have been filmed on Maui, including HBO’s acclaimed series The White Lotus, filmed almost entirely at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cast and crew spent eight months at this five-star property, making it a perfect destination for fans to explore familiar filming locations. Writer and director Mike White has a deep connection to Hawai‘i, having vacationed there as a child and later purchasing a home in Hanalei on Kaua‘i. 

For fans of romantic comedies, the Grand Wailea, offers another connection to the island’s film history, as it was the filming site for Just Go with It, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. 

Maui has also hosted a variety of other films, including George of the Jungle, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and Lord of the Flies, making it a haven for movie enthusiasts. 

Kaua‘i 

Kaua‘i’s Nāpali Coast, with its breathtaking cliffs, served as the backdrop for iconic scenes in films like Jurassic Park, where Steven Spielberg shot the helicopter arrival at the fictional Isla Nublar, landing at the stunning Manawaiopuna Falls. 

For a similar experience, consider a scenic tour with Safari Helicopters, which also includes views of filming locations from Raiders of the Lost Ark at Hulēʻia National Wildlife Refuge and Kipu Ranch. 

Kipu Ranch Adventures offers an Ultimate Ranch Tour featuring spots from other films such as Outbreak and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, including a memorable viewpoint from The Descendants. 

At Allerton Garden, visitors can see the giant Moreton Bay fig trees where Dr. Grant discovers raptor eggs in Jurassic Park, as well as the location where Captain Jack Sparrow searched for the fountain of youth. Families should also visit the charming plantation town of Hanapēpē, which inspired the setting for Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, adding a touch of animation magic to any Kaua‘i itinerary. 

To learn more about Hawaiʻi, the Destination Specialist Program is ideal. Please visit agents.gohawaii.com.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.