For decades, Hawai‘i has played host to dinosaurs, superheroes and even rampaging giant monsters on the big screen, and that’s just scratching the surface of the islands’ star-studded Hollywood résumé. From a T. rex rampaging on Kauaʻi in Jurassic Park to Godzilla leveling Waikīkī, Hawai‘i has become Hollywood’s go-to tropical chameleon, an unexpected character actor in pop culture’s biggest blockbusters. Hawaii has a way of popping up in the most unexpected places on film. Thanks to its jaw-dropping landscapes, the Aloha State has served as a stand-in for far-flung jungles, tropical paradises, and even alien worlds.
Filmmakers love using Hawai‘i’s scenery as a character of its own – sometimes playing itself, other times masquerading as another exotic locale. The result? Audiences around the globe have seen Hawai‘i, even if they didn’t always know it. Here are a few memorable moments when Hawaii stole the scene in movies:
Jurassic Park (1993) & Jurassic World (2015): When that T. rex broke out of its fence, it was rampaging across Kaua‘i’s lush valleys. The iconic Jurassic Park jungle scenes (and even the modern raptor runs in Jurassic World) were filmed on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. No real dinosaurs were harmed – just a few wild chickens who wandered onto the set.
Godzilla (2014): Honolulu got an unplanned monster visit in this reboot. Waikīkī Beach and downtown Honolulu served as Godzilla’s playground (and stomping ground). Watching the giant lizard surf a tsunami into Waikīkī and plow through Ala Moana was both thrilling and a bit surreal for local viewers (more than a few likely pointed at the screen thinking, hey, that’s my bus stop he just smashed!).
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017): The mysterious video game jungle world that sucks in The Rock and friends? That’s actually Hawai‘i in disguise. Filmed largely in O‘ahu’s verdant forests (like Kualoa Ranch), the movie’s wild helicopter chases and hungry hippos all had a backdrop of real Hawaiian mountains. It turns out our islands can play themselves and a fictional jungle at the same time.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011): Captain Jack Sparrow set sail to Hawai‘i for this adventure. The film shot scenes on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, using our coasts as a stand-in for deserted Caribbean isles. Picture Johnny Depp swashbuckling on a Hawaiian beach (with coconuts doubling as cannonballs, perhaps) – not a bad mix of vibes.
Blue Hawaii (1961): We can’t forget the film that put Hawaii on the musical map. Elvis Presley strummed his ukulele and crooned “Blue Hawaii” against the backdrop of Waikīkī and the beautiful Kaua‘i coastline. This classic made an entire generation daydream about tropical luaus – and gave us vintage scenes of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll wearing an aloha shirt, inspiring tourists to flock here for decades.
For island residents, spotting a familiar beach or valley in a blockbuster is like a secret handshake – a quick jolt of local pride. Many of these filming spots (like Kualoa Ranch’s “Jurassic Valley”) have become tourist attractions, so visitors can replay their favorite scenes in real life.
From giant monsters to hula-dancing romance, Hawai‘i’s had one of the wildest side gigs in showbiz. And no matter how many times Hollywood blows up our volcanoes or casts our beaches as someone else’s, we still love seeing a bit of home on the big screen. It’s proof that our little paradise can play any part – and look amazing doing it. Music & Film – Hawaii Monthly Staff hawaiimonthly.com