Hawaii today is a hotbed for film production. Producers have discovered the islands’ amazing beauty, and they’ve come to realize that the metropolitan areas – especially Honolulu – serve well for street scenes and interiors.
It wasn’t always that way. Back in the late 1950s and early 60s, a detective show was running on CBS that became extremely popular. “Surfside Six” was set in Miami Beach and featured good-looking private detectives surrounded by pretty girls and crimes that baffled or were under the radar of the police.
When “Surfside Six” had run its course, CBS management wanted to continue the concept of pretty people solving crimes in a tropical location. “Hawaiian Eye” was born to replace “Surfside.” Although it was set in Hawaii, it was shot in Hollywood, with only some background scenes reflecting the islands.
By 1968, “Eye,” too, had run its course, but the CBS bigwigs were determined to follow the pretty people-pretty-place formula. “Hawaii 5-0” filled the bill and the network took a giant step. This time, with Hawaii again the setting, principle filming was actually done in Hawaii, with most post-production still being done in Hollywood. Supporting facilities were built, equipped and staffed. We locals loved it. We delighted in recognizing locations and other locals who had landed parts in most episodes. We especially enjoyed ridiculing the continuity. A car would take a left in Downtown Honolulu then suddenly be driving along a small street on Oahu’s North Shore.
“5-0” starred Jack Lord as lead detective for a fictional Hawaii state police department. (Hawaii has no state police. The counties provide their own police forces.) The show ran for 12 seasons, from 1968 to 1980. It remains one of the most-watched shows in television history. In fact it still runs in syndication.
In 1980, “Magnum P.I.” appeared, still following the same formula and again set in Hawaii, with Tom Sellick emerging as a sexy star portraying a private eye who lives in a cottage on a large estate. One of the reasons for this series being set in Hawaii was that CBS did not want to close its Hawaii production offices when “5-O” ceased production.
CBS had produced the program from 1980 through 1988, and it’s broadcast in syndication throughout the world and on-demand streaming media via CBS.
Currently running (on ABC) is the popular “Lost,” which is filmed in Hawaii but not set here.
So Hawaii is on the producers’ maps. They recognize that the islands are full of camera-friendly locations and that now there’s a small army of well-trained and experienced film production people to hire. Movies, too, now are filmed in the islands regularly. When you’re on vacation here, you probably will recognize the places where memorable scenes from both popular films and TV series were shot.
Don’t forget your own camera.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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May 5th, 2009
Polynesian Cultural Center is one of those “don’t miss” attractions that a lot of people miss. Most vacationers who travel in groups see it because it’s on their itineraries, and it’s easy enough to sign on for a tour at your hotel.
If you’re traveling on your own, however, it’s the kind of thing you put off and put off until suddenly it’s time to go home and you’ve missed it. The problem lies in the location – the North Shore of Oahu – and the fact that you need commit a full day to explore it.
Still, it’s the top paid Hawaii attraction. What you get is seven native villages that give you the chance to participate in the daily adventures of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures. The Center also stages what they claim to be “Hawaii’s most authentic luau” and “The world’s largest Polynesian night show.”
Let’s take one of the villages – Tahiti — as an example of what you’ll see apart from the entertainment and food.
Tahiti is the name of the largest island and administrative center of French Polynesia. A hundred-plus French Polynesian islands surround Tahiti.
More than any other group of Pacific islands aside from Hawaii, Tahiti, with its fast hip-shaking dances and compelling wooden drum rhythms, characterizes Polynesia in the minds of people around the world.
In the village, you’ll meet the warm, inviting Tahitian people and gain insights into their fascinating culture. You’ll learn both the women’s and men’s movements in their exciting dances. You’ll learn why the Tahitians make both fragrant flower and beautiful shell lei, sample Tahitian coconut bread, tour the garden and even give your kids the opportunity to try some fishing.
The large "celebration house" is the central location for the presentations, "grass skirt" and shell work production and the dance platform. The kitchen area is where the earth oven is located, surrounded by the plantation, and there’s also a fishing hut on the edge of the lagoon.
That’s a handful of Tahiti, but remember that there are the luau, the show and six other villages to visit: Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tonga and the Polynesian Triangle.
Obviously, there’s plenty to see and do, but you’ll enjoy every minute of it – even if it does occupy an entire day.
Pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web page (hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll help you work a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center into your vacation plans.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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May 5th, 2009
We locals have noticed an interesting phenomenon in Waikiki. After mainland vacationers have arrived and checked into their hotels, they venture out and look around for a place to eat. They inevitably head for a McDonald’s or a Burger King or another recognizable sign.
We presume there’s some trepidation about the enormous variety of restaurants – the number of nationalities represented – in Hawaii. They’ve read or heard about that variety. They may feel they aren’t ready to deal with chopsticks, raw fish, exotic fare from exotic places or servers who speak little English. They feel they might be disdained or even ridiculed by the local restaurant customers as they clumsily try to properly handle the foreign food in front of them.
So they head for something familiar – Big Macs or Whoppers.
Take heart. Yes, there is a huge variety of ethnic restaurants serving dishes you may never have heard of. But – especially in Waikiki – even the ethnic restaurants cater to mainland tastes (and to Japanese tastes because of the number of visitors from that country).
In the mood for a good steak? There’s a bunch of excellent steakhouses. Conventional Italian? Likewise. Seafood that isn’t wiggling? Of course.
If you feel intimidated before setting out to eat, talk to your concierge or one of the desk clerks and say what you’re looking for. You’ll be advised of a number of restaurants that are sure to appeal to you.
Once you’ve become familiar with the island you’re on, by all means try some of the restaurants that come well-recommended or whose fare and ambience sound good to you based on their write-ups in the “what-to-do” books you find in your room. There are several world-class restaurants and chefs in the islands. Hawaii Regional Cuisine and the places that serve fusion entrees are wonderful. And please don’t avoid the ethnic restaurants. They’re authentic and the dishes are delicious, even if they’re new to you. Try one. Thai food, for example, although spicy, is very satisfying. (You probably have a good idea of what to expect in a Chinese or Japanese restaurant.)
Any time you feel the need for the fast food you know and love, be assured it’s easy to find. There are 75 (and counting) McDonald’s alone in Hawaii, and an abundance of their competing ourlets.
A sure thing is to give us a call at 1-800-843-8771, or pick an agent on the Hawaii-Aloha Web site (hawaii-aloha.com). Every one of us knows the territory very well and can steer you to some restaurants you’ll love.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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May 4th, 2009
If you’ve been considering a Hawaii vacation, you’ve probably read brochures, noted advertising and browsed the Internet to learn as much as you can about this wonderful place.
The following is just some basic stuff that isn’t carried in promotion materials, but you might be glad to be aware of it while you’re here.
- The islands’ population is about a million and a half, with most of us living on Oahu, where Honolulu and Waikiki are located.
- It was Polynesian immigrants who settled the islands originally some 1,000 years ago, but nobody else was aware of them until Captain James Cook “discovered” them in 1778.
- Hawaii became a state in 1959.
- In the 19th century, Hawaii developed an export economy, based on the cultivation of sugar and pineapple. Today, that business has dwindled considerably, Hawaii exports very little, and tourism is the engine that runs the islands.
- Hawaii has the most advanced telecommunications system in the world. We’re among only five states with 100-percent digital switching for telephones. We have more fiber optic cable per mile, per capita, than any other state has.
- Hawaii is the only state in which coffee is grown.
- Hawaii is the widest state in the United States measuring from east to west.
- The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting tops of a mountain range. It’s the largest mountain range on earth. Under-sea volcanoes that erupted thousands of years ago formed the islands.
- Hawaii has its own time zone.
- There is no daylight savings time here. We are five hours later than the East coast; two hours later than the West Coast. During DST it’s six and two.
- Kilauea volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii, remains the world’s most active.
- The world’s highest sea cliffs are on the island of Molokai.
Okay, those are hardly earth-shaking facts. But they’re good to know, aren’t they?
If you’re from Hawaii please add to our list - just add yours in the comment section below and we’ll post it right away:)
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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May 1st, 2009
We’ve actually received calls asking if it would be a good idea to learn the Hawaiian language before coming to Hawaii. The answer to that is no.
English is the dominant language here, although there is such a variety of nationalities that a lot of people who live here have trouble with English.
The Hawaiian language is spoken only by about 9.000 residents. You’ll notice that most of the street and place names in the islands are Hawaiian, and you might find them unpronounceable. (One of the main roads is Kalanianaole Highway, for example, and there’s a place called Kaaawa on Oahu’s North Shore.) Hawaii’s early immigrants communicated with each other using pidgin, which still is pervasive. You’ll hear pidgin a lot while you’re here and you’ll get used to it.
Captain James Cook and his crew recorded the Hawaiian language for the first time on Kauai in 1778. They immediately noticed the great similarity to Tahitian and Maori. In order to communicate with the Hawaiians they used Tahitian words and gestures. They described the Hawaiian language as "primitive, childlike, lilting, effeminate, and simple." Reduplication (’ele’ele, wikiwiki) and all the vowels sounded to the explorers like baby talk.
Hawaiian had been an oral language only. The 19th century missionaries, however, were supposed to teach their converts to read the Bible, so they created a writing system with an alphabet that contained only twelve letters for words of Hawaiian origin. The Hawaiian language became the language of the government, remained the most commonly used language in daily life, and was used among the numerous different ethnic groups who had all arrived here to work the plantations. The alphabet was later expanded to allow for two unique characteristics in the Hawaiian word that the missionaries had missed.
First, there was the unnoticed consonant, a glottal stop. Try the sound in the American exclamation "oh-oh." The ‘okina symbol (’) now indicates this stop. Secondly, the five vowels could all function as longer sounds, now symbolized with a short line above the vowel. (You’ll see those on signs everywhere.)
The increasing influence of the United States pushed English forward as the language of choice. Then, with the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and its annexation in 1898, the Hawaiian language was banned entirely from schools and government.
Imagine this: 500,000 Hawaiians spoke the language when Captain Cook arrived. Today, there are only 1,000 native speakers left, most of whom live on isolated Ni’ihau. Another 8,000 people can speak and understand Hawaiian, and use it among themselves.
So, even if you were to learn the Hawaiian language, you’d have trouble finding somebody to speak it with.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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April 30th, 2009
Back in 1946, a tsunami struck the Hawaiian Islands.
There had been no warning to Hawaii as the Tsunami Warning System had not yet been established, and the tsunami was extremely damaging throughout the islands. It was especially devastating to the Island of Hawaii.
The town of Hilo on the island of Hawaii was struck by a series of six to seven large tsunami waves in 15-20 minute intervals. The highest of those waves had a run-up height of 30 feet above sea level. The waves completely destroyed Hilo’s waterfront, killing 159 people. Every house on the main street facing Hilo Bay was ripped off its foundation and carried across the street crashing against buildings on the other side.
Today, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, in downtown Hilo, offers stark evidence of the power of tsunamis that have hit Hilo and the rest of the Pacific Basin. The Museum is located just across the street from Hilo Bay. A live webcam keeps its electronic eye on the bay to watch for Tsunamis, and there’s an evacuation plan conspicuously posted as you come in since the Museum is within the tsunami zone in Hilo. Hey, there’s actually nothing to worry about. With all the monitoring going on within the Pacific now, you would have sufficient warning. If a tsunami were to be headed toward the islands, there would be plenty of time to move to higher ground. Tsunamis are generated by earthquakes elsewhere in the Pacific. (An earthquake in Hawaii might generate a tsunami headed outwards.)
The museum has a series of in-house permanent exhibits that interpret the tsunami phenomena, the Pacific Tsunami Warning system, the history of tsunamis in the Pacific Basin, tsunamis of the future, myths and legends about tsunamis, and public safety measures for tsunami disasters.
The Museum is certainly worth your time if your vacation plans include the Big Island. (Hilo is on the east coast.) It’s open every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. There’s an admission fee of $7.00; seniors pay $6.00 and kids are just $2.00.
Most of the exhibits are a mix of photographs, text and some video. Some of the videos are kind of long, but really interesting for anyone with any interest in earthquakes and tsunamis. As you watch the videos detailing the tsunami destruction in Hilo, you can look out the windows of the museum and imagine the damage and destruction around you.
If the museum sounds interesting to you, pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web site (hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll help you work it into your schedule.
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April 29th, 2009
Thousands of famous people have visited Hawaii over the years, and Hawaii has contributed several big stars to the world scene. What follows is only a tiny selection of that bunch:
Tia Carrere
Most recently seen on "Dancing With The Stars," Tia was born in Honolulu. She’s known to be the voice of Nani in Lilo and Stitch, Relic Hunter and others. She’s currently in production with a movie being filmed and produced in Hawaii
Steve Case
Hawaii-born Steve Case. The founder of America Online and former Chairman of the Board of Time Warner was born and raised on Oahu and attended Punahou School. He continues to contribute to Hawaii interests and invest in the islands.
Jason Elam
Jason was the place kicker at the University of Hawaii before being drafted by the NFL Denver Broncos. After an all-star stint with the Broncos, he was traded to Atlanta, his birth state. He keeps a coconut in his locker to remind him of his love for the islands.
Bill Gates
The billionaire had a spectacular wedding on the island of Lanai, with private jets and helicopters, and with golf courses cordoned off. Some Lanai residents resented all the hub-bub, but it was a million-dollar wedding with a lot of that money going into state coffers.
Kelly Hu
Best known for her roles in “Scorpion King” and “X-Men,” Kelly is Hawaiian-blooded, was born and raised in Honolulu and attended Kamehameha Schools. She won the Miss Teen USA title and has since had a fine career in Hollywood that has included commercials, television series and movies.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole has a state of Hawaii birth certificate, having been born on June 20, 1967. The star of many screen hits, she was born to Australian parents and has dual citizenship in Australia and the United States as of 2006.
Matt Le Blanc
“Friends” star Matt married Melissa McKnight on the north shore of Kauai overlooking Anini Beach. The setting was tropical and private with lots of celebrities in attendance. The marriage is now over, but he visits the islands often.
Bette Midler
Bette was born and raised on Oahu. She became a very talented actress and singer and has gone on to be one of the most lustrous talents from Hawaii.
Kelly Preston
Born Kelly Smith and raised and schooled at the prestigious Punahou School on Oahu, the actress still makes frequent trips to Hawaii to visit friends and family — and to satisfy her craving for local food.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah owns two significant properties in Hawaii. She purchased a chunk of oceanfront property near Hana, Maui, and 1,000 acres on Maui located high on the slopes of Haleakala.
That doesn’t include the sports stars, including Shane Victorino (born on Maui), and Michele Wie (Honolulu).
So when you vacation in the islands, you’ll be in good company.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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April 27th, 2009
In these troubled times, Hawaii’s visitor industry is desperately seeking ways to boost arrivals, hotel occupancy and traffic in attractions and restaurants.
Hawaii hotel rates are dropping, special offers are in effect, and almost all advertising that emanates in Hawaii is promoting the current low cost of a Hawaii vacation.
A welcome elixir occurred in March. It was the economic impact brought about by the15th Annual Honolulu Festival. The free weekend fest featured live musical and cultural performances as well as impressive art exhibits by artisans from Japan, Australia, Tahiti, The Philippines, The Republic of China (Taiwan), Korea, Hawaii and the rest of the United States.
It was enormously successful, generating more than 5,200 visitors who came to Hawaii specifically to take part in the weekend of festivities.
The Festival began March 13th with free cultural demonstrations for nearly 1,000 Oahu school students at the Hawaii Convention Center. It opened to the public with two full days of free cultural performances and exhibits at the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki Beach Walk, and Waikiki Shopping Plaza, along with a Grand Parade through Waikiki. The free public performances drew approximately 30,000 guests, of which nearly 17,000 came to the Hawaii Convention Center. Moreover, an estimated 40,000 spectators along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki watched the Grand Parade finale. On top of that, the Festival’s “Friendship Gala” fundraiser on March 14 generated more than $52,000 in support of Hawaii educational and cultural programs.
Most significant was the $10 million in visitor spending and nearly $1 million in total tax revenues for the state.
The Honolulu Festival was initiated in 1995 to help promote cultural understanding and harmony between the people of Hawaii and Asia-Pacific. Next year’s 16th Annual Honolulu Festival takes place March 12-14.
Actually, you’re likely to run into one festival or another whenever you vacation in the islands. They’re all good fun and most of them are free.
If you’re considering a vacation here pick an agent at Hawaii-Aloha.com, or call us at 1-800-843-8771. We’ll let you know what will be going on while you’re here.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
April 23rd, 2009
We get e-mails and sometimes phone calls from clients who have returned home after vacationing in Hawaii. Most, of course, are to thank us for our services and rave about the things they did while they were in the islands.
We’ve had a couple of e-mails recently that we find disturbing. They refer to unpleasant encounters with “locals” the writers had while they were here.
A little background:
Tourism began in Hawaii at a time when there was a steady U.S. military buildup and the creation of the pineapple canning industry. Tourism was spurred in 1936 by the inauguration of commercial air service. The tourist industry in the islands began to flourish, but people in Hawaii were uncomfortable with the presence of U.S military people, most of whom were Caucasian.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor pretty-much killed tourism, but after World War II, the U.S. rediscovered Hawaii and American tourists began arriving by the boatload. This was a little troublesome to some to the local people, who already were not happy with the military personnel population explosion. Fights were common outside the military bases, especially in the bars where military personnel would spend their weekend passes and furloughs.
Soon, tourism became the major industry in Hawaii. That meant plenty of jobs, but those jobs were menial and poorly paid. The resentment grew through the 1950s, then began subsiding in the ‘60s. As generation followed generation and the Caucasian population was blending in, visitors became more than welcome and “the people” became the first thing returning vacationers would say they liked best.
That good will is pervasive, but there still are a few young people who inherited their grandparents’ attitudes. While these people are harmless, they can be intimidating by hanging around your spot on the beach and purposely annoying you, and elsewhere by calling you names – notably “friggin’ haole.”
These instances are disappearing and are rare now. The state and local tourism officials are striving to eradicate the problem altogether, but perhaps that’s a generation away.
You certainly should be aware that you are very unlikely to run into such an encounter while you vacation here. Vacationers are grandly welcomed and treated as the special guests they are. If you do experience one, please report it to your hotel management or to the police – and to us at Hawaii-Aloha (1-800-843-8771).
Posted by Jim Winpenny
April 21st, 2009
If you’ve spent time in Chicago you know that it’s the hotbed of improvisational entertainment. The city has dozens of venues for the form. Shannon Winpenny, a Hawaii native, spent ten years in Chicago learning the finer points of Improv at the Second City Conservatory, then performing with acknowledged success. Another Hawaii native and a friend of Shannon’s, Kim Potter, was at the same time attending DePaul University learning Communications and Marketing, then working at the Lincoln Park Zoo where she honed her business skills.
There are two kinds of improv: Short Form and Long Form. Short Form takes a suggestion, then does a quick skit the players make up as they go along, usually working toward a way to pay off the suggested word or phrase as a joke. Long Form starts the same way but takes time to develop characters, situations and emotions – actually one-act plays performed with humor. No two shows are ever alike.
Having performed in Hawaii, Shannon knew that no Long Form was being performed here. She and Kim returned to Hawaii and, as Artistic Director, Shannon started giving classes in Improv. Kim runs the business side. They were surprised when the classes filled up quickly. Along with students and young people, lawyers, politicians, teachers, business people … anyone interested in improving his or her confidence, presence and creativity signed on. Many of the graduates of the class formed groups and looked for venues where they could perform. Shannon and Kim opened a small theater – Laughtrack Theater –in the center of the Arts District in Downtown Honolulu for Improv performances only. With two shows a night on Friday and Saturday evenings, the theater stays busy and is building a following. Shannon trained most of the performers and performs along with one of the groups both nights.
If you’re familiar with Improv, you’ll be more than satisfied with the performances. If you’ve never seen it, you’ll be happily surprised. Pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web site,(hawaii-aloha.com) or call 1-800-843-8772. We’ll fill you in on all the entertainment that will be available while you’re here and make arrangements for you if you like. Marketing
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April 20th, 2009
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