Where was Blue Hawaii filmed?
1961
City Locations
Hawaii (USA)
Location Types
Hotel, Unusual, Storefront, Film Studio
Location Styles
Beachfront, Beach House, Dated, 60's, Retro, Hotel Style, Exotic, Colonial
About Blue Hawaii
Add to the mix songs like "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Rock-a-Hula Baby," the title track, and an assortment of other tunes, and what you get is a fun, easy-going way to spend your time. Blue Hawaii is a 1961 musical movie directed by Norman Taurog, featuring an all-star cast that includes Elvis Presley, Angela Lansbury, Joan Blackman, and Nancy Walters. The film was produced by Hal Wallis and released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on October 22, 1961. The story follows Elvis Presley's character Chad Gates as he returns to his home of Hawaii after being discharged from the U.S. Army to take up his inheritance of a pineapple plantation that his snooty mother (Angela Lansbury) wants him to manage. Instead, he works at a tourist agency while romancing two beautiful women – Maile (Joan Blackman) and Abigail (Nancy Walters). Blue Hawaii was met with substantial commercial success upon its release and won the fourth place prize Laurel Award in the Top Musical of 1961 category. The screenplay written by Hal Kanter was also nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award in the category of Best Written American Musical. The song "Can't Help Falling in Love" won an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Most Performed Feature Film Standards.
Blue Hawaii Locations
The 1961 film Blue Hawaii was an iconic musical created by Paramount Pictures, taking place in the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands. This romantic comedy captured the beauty of the local scenery and culture. To capture these stunning landscapes, the production team filmed most of their scenes on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. On Oahu, most of Blue Hawaii was shot at Halona Cove, located on Kalaniana'ole Highway, with its beautiful blue sea water and lush green landscape. Other filming locations included Hanauma Bay, where Elvis’s character Chad Gates famously sings “No More” as he strolls along the beach, and Waimanalo Beach Park, which has remained unchanged since being featured in some of the movie's key scenes. The movie also showcased Kauai's Coco Palms Resort, where Chad and Maile (Joan Blackman) were married in a romantic double canoe wedding. They had a picnic at Puu Ualakaa State Park, which offered great views of Manoa Valley and Honolulu from its peak. Lastly, they were shown surfing together at Lydgate Beach on Kauai's East Side. Visiting these spots is worth it for any fan or curious traveler! Seeing them in person helps us further appreciate why filmmakers chose to shoot there; from Halona Cove's pristine waters to Lydgate Beach's picturesque shorelines, these places are truly remarkable sights to behold that should not be missed when traveling to Hawaii.
Maile driving down the road scene in Blue Hawaii
Round Top Dr, Honolulu, HI
The opening scene commences with Maile (Joan Blackman) steering her vehicle along Round Top Drive, offering a panoramic view of Manoa Valley. She proceeds on her southeastward journey for a brief span. Her destination is to rendezvous with Chad (Elvis Presley), recently discharged from the Army. The location where this opening scene was filmed is located on Round Top Dr., Honolulu, Hawaii. It's a winding hillside road between Tantalus and Round Top in Honolulu, which dates back to 1892 and was paved in 1937. It retains its original beauty and charm, making it a popular tourist spot for fans worldwide who come to pay homage to one of Elvis’ most memorable films. Visitors can get to Round Top Drive quickly by car or public transportation. It is accessible via many main highways leading into Honolulu, including H1. It is near popular tourist attractions such as Manoa Falls and Diamond Head State Monument. You can also take one of the city's buses along Round Top Drive for an affordable fare.
Maile being chased by a policeman scene in Blue Hawaii
Ala Moana Regional Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI
After the preceding scene, the following sequence depicts Maile (Joan Blackman) being pursued by a police officer. In this segment, a law enforcement official is about to intercept Maile. She veers left from Ala Moana Blvd into the park and stops further inside. Interestingly, the policeman happens to be Eddie, a friend of Maile's. He offers to help ensure Maile can reach the airport in time to meet up with Chad (Elvis Presley). Ala Moana Regional Park is one of Waikiki's most popular beaches, with an estimated 4 million visitors annually due to its calm waters and sandy beach bottom, which are perfect for swimming. It is located on Oahu's south shore near Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Crater. The park also features picnic areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, walking trails, and more, making it a popular place for locals and tourists. Ala Moana Regional Park is easily accessible by car via Ala Moana Blvd or by bus from Waikiki or downtown Honolulu (the closest bus stop is at Macy’s). Also, bike lanes are available along Kalakaua Ave, where you can rent bikes from nearby shops. Parking is available at both ends of the park but can be limited.
Chad's beach house scenes in Blue Hawaii
Hanauma Bay Beach Park, 7455 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Honolulu, HI
Maile (Joan Blackman) greets Chad (Elvis Presley) at the airport, and together, they make their way to Chad's beachside abode. Once there, Chad reveals to Maile that his mother, Sarah Lee (Angela Lansbury), wishes for him to step into his father's shoes and assume control of the Great Southern Hawaiian Fruit Company, their family enterprise. However, Chad exhibits a sense of reluctance. He is adamant about carving his path. We are also treated to scenes featuring Chad's friends on the beach. In one such scene, Chad performs the song "No More" at the seaside. While fans may not recognize the same beach house, the views of the beach remain unaltered. Hanauma Bay was selected as a picturesque filming location to capture breathtaking beach scenes. Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life conservation area located on the southeast side of Oahu Island. The bay itself is a collapsed volcanic cone filled with crystal-clear water. This creates an ideal spot for snorkeling because it allows for many different kinds of fish and coral to thrive in its waters. On top of that, Hanauma Bay is also known for its white sand beaches and stunning sea cliffs. One can take a drive or public transport to get to Hanauma Bay. By car, it takes about half an hour from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach to head east on Kalanianaole Highway/State Route 72 until reaching the entrance. A bus route will take you to Hanauma Bay, where you can hop off at Wailupe Circle stop or Koko Head Crater stops, depending on which direction you are going from Honolulu to Waikiki Beach, respectively.
Maile and Chad's picnic scene in Blue Hawaii
Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park, Nutridge St, Honolulu, HI
Chad (Elvis Presley) and Maile (Joan Blackman) embark on a romantic picnic date, leaving a lasting impression on fans with its enchanting atmosphere. During their outing, Chad seizes the opportunity to express his interest in working as a tour guide at Maile's agency. Eager to pursue this opportunity, he swiftly makes his way to the car to converse with Mr. Chapman (Howard McNear), Maile's boss. This verdant spot is situated directly before the picturesque Tantalus lookout, elevated above Honolulu. Though the picnic scene in the movie is brief, the location offers an expansive view of the southern part of Oahu island. The Tantalus lookout is a scenic vista that showcases breathtaking views of the Diamond Head volcanic cone and the Waikiki skyline, a location fans would surely enjoy visiting. The picnic was filmed at Tantalus Lookout, on Tantalus Drive above Honolulu. This spot is easily accessible by car (Route 62), and one can also choose to hike up to the lookout if time permits. You'll encounter enchanting banyan trees and the occasional macadamia nut. Spanning just half a mile, the trail boasts a predominantly flat terrain, culminating at a 4-way intersection with the Makiki Valley, Moleka, and Maunalaha trails.
Chad picks up his tour group scene in Blue Hawaii
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, 2005 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI
Chad's (Elvis Presley) initial clientele includes an appealing school teacher named Abigail Prentice (Nancy Walters) and four adolescent female students. Ellie Corbett (Jenny Maxwell), a 17-year-old among the students, appears to be self-absorbed and doesn't mesh well with her peers. However, she develops a crush on Chad. Meanwhile, Maile (Joan Blackman) starts feeling envious towards Abigail, who seems to harbor a soft spot for Chad. The sequences where Chad's clients are accommodated in a hotel, where he assembles his tour group, and where he relaxes with Maile on the beach were all shot at what is presently recognized as the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach. Nestled on the broadest stretch of sand, this 22-acre haven boasts the finest pools and waterslides in Waikiki and the only saltwater lagoon. While fans can visit the location, they may not witness the same vistas as depicted in the film due to modifications since the 1960s. To reach this location, visitors should take a flight to Honolulu International Airport on Oahu Island, about nine miles from Waikiki Beach, where Blue Hawaii was filmed. From there, travelers can take taxis, ride-share services like Uber or Lyft, or public transportation such as TheBus or The HandiVan shuttles for convenient access to this iconic destination spot.
Conclusion
Overall, Blue Hawaii (1961) is an amiable and ingratiating movie that will please most viewers. Elvis Presley's performance lends charm to the film. His singing and swinging across sandy beaches and palmy lawns, accompanied by pretty girls, make for a visually stunning movie in radiant color. Blue Hawaii can be described as contributing to the movie industry by demonstrating what can be achieved when using vibrant colors onscreen (uncommon at the time) and providing audiences with light-hearted entertainment that could be enjoyed without overthinking its plot structure or narrative. It also introduced Elvis Presley's acting skills to a broader audience beyond his music career. In conclusion, although Blue Hawaii (1961) is not considered one of Elvis Presley's best movies, it is worth watching for its colorful visuals and scenic filming locations alone.