Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands and that mature natural beauty has courted its fair share of film makers for well over half a century, beginning with 1934’s White Heat. The lush flora of the “Garden Island” has served as the backdrop of many films, some noteworthy participants being:
The Jurassic Park Franchise
The original film from 1993, Jurassic Park III and the more-recent Jurassic World involved this island in its location shoots. Jurassic Park was shot along the Napali Coast and within the Hanapepe Valley. Although claiming to be taking off the coast of Costa Rica, 2015’s Jurassic World was actually filmed around Mt. Waialeale and the Olokele Valley, among other locales.
With a fifth Jurassic Park movie filming, and considering only Jurassic Park II avoided using Kauai for any location shoots, it stands to reason that this island will make it to the silver screen once again.
James Cameron’s Avatar Franchise
The filming schedule for 2009’s Avatar included five days of practical material within the Keahua Arboretum. Rumors are also growing that Avatar 2 will return to the area for filming.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Most of this comedy was filmed in various places throughout Kauai.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
While not a live action film, the landscapes of this Disney animated film about sisters living in Hawaii with a pet alien was heavily inspired by Hanapepe and the Kilauea Lighthouse, located in Kauai.
Pirate Themed Films
The fourth entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean film was filmed within Allerton Garden and Waikapalae caves. The Neverland locations of 1991’s Hook are partly taken from the lush terrain of Kipu Kai Beach.
Part of Elvis’ Filmography
The ’61 film Blue Hawaii,” debuted at second place at the box office and finished the year as one of the top 10 most successful films. Blue Hawaii is the eighth of the 33 films Elvis Presley starred in between 1956 and 1972. Elvis’ impact on the island made it an even more popular honeymoon spot, as couples could rent a perfect getaway house or spend their stay at a luxurious resort. No matter which one you choose, best believe the King of Rock is subconsciously the reason you are there.
Creature Feature Films
The lush jungles of Kauai has done wonderful work for any film that wants to make a film about monstrous creatures, including Disney’s Dinosaur from 2000, Dinocroc vs. Supergator, Supergator, and Komodo vs. Dragon. More notably, the 1976 remake of King Kong and 1998’s Mighty Joe Young were both Kauai-filmed features that focused on giant gorillas. King Kong was filmed within the Napali Coast’s Kalalau Valley and the island is also home to a mountain, King Kong’s Profile, which was given its name after its resemblance to the giant simian.
South Pacific (1958)
One of the most notable films to involve Kauai in the 20th century, South Pacific is a Rogers and Hammerstein musical that showcases the beauty of the twin peaks known as Makana, or “Bali Ha’i” within the fiction of the film. This darling of the American Film Institute won an Academy Award for Best Sound.
There’s a minor error in your otherwisely nice article. The opening of Jurassic Park: The Lost World (“Jurassic Park II”) (1997) was shot at Kipu Kai Beach.