Kauai Connections in 2011 Movies

There’s no doubt that Hollywood loves the picturesque island of Kauai. Over the years, Kauai has been a filming location in more than 60 movies and TV productions.

This year,  the Garden Isle will be making appearances once again in these upcoming movies.

Just Go with It is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. It will be released on February 11. Here’s the trailer.

Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides sails into theaters on May 20 using Kauai’s and Oahu’s landscape as the backdrop to this adventure film. Here is the preview.

The Descendants, starring George Clooney, is a film based on the popular novel by Hawaii author Kaui Hart Hemmings. According to IMDB, the story-line is a “land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.” There’s no release date or trailer yet for this 2011 movie, but I do know that parts of the movie were filmed at the gorgeous St. Regis Princeville. The reason that I know is that I got to observe the production crew setting up for a scene in the lobby back in April 2010. Here’s a photo of that lobby that will likely be included in the movie.

St Regis Princeville Lobby

Will you be going to the theaters to catch any of these movies with Kauai connections?

4 comments
  1. I just LOVE movies filmed in Hawaii. I made of point of purchasing BLUE HAWAII when I visited Graceland several years ago. I’m so enjoying the new Hawaii 5-0 as well. Capt. Jack Sparrow is my favorite role of Johnny and all the previews/notices you’ve shared look like good entertainment.

    1. Sheila – I’m glad I’m not the only Sheila who loves Hawaii in movies! 🙂

      We have Blue Hawaii, too. The acting is kinda funny, but the scenery is gorgeous.

      I agree about Johnny Dep’s role as Jack Sparrow. His character really attracts my attention.

  2. Update: I just saw “Just Go With It” last night. It’s mostly set at the Grand Wailea resort in South Maui. I believe the hiking scenes were in Kauai. I’m positive that the short kayak scene was Kauai, too.

    I didn’t recognize the waterfall in the swimming scene. I did some googling and came across these production notes:
    http://wsbradio.com/movies/notes/just-go-with-it/note/2

    I’m guesses that this waterfall is on private land based on saying they needed a guide and they had to hike 3 miles to get to it. From the notes, they said that the pool below the waterfall was much more shallow than it appeared.

    I recognized Jake Shimabukuro “playing” the ukulele in the ocean side bar scene towards the end of the movie.

    In one scene, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Aniston have a hula dance-off. I thought I recognized Led Kaapana. I did some more googling, and yes, that was him in the scene per this Maui News article: http://beta100.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/546008/Hawaii-s–best-guys–provide-the-music-when-Adam-Sandler–Jennifer-Aniston–Just-Go-With-It-.html?nav=5014

  3. The waterfall is on the northshore of Kauai. It’s not on private land but you have to cross private property to get to it. It was the same falls that were used in Six Days, Seven Nights

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