Filmed near Anahola, around Lihu‘e Airport and boasting spectacular aerials of Kaua‘i, our island was visited by Harrison Ford (”Indiana Jones” films), Anne Heche and famed ‘80s film director Ivan Reitman (”Ghostbusters” and father to new directing talent Jason Reitman
Filmed near Anahola, around Lihu‘e Airport and boasting spectacular aerials of Kaua‘i, our island was visited by Harrison Ford (”Indiana Jones” films), Anne Heche and famed ‘80s film director Ivan Reitman (”Ghostbusters” and father to new directing talent Jason Reitman “Juno”). This movie once again was good fun, because we see fellow Kaua‘i people on screen.
My favorite scene is early in the film, because my good friend Shawn is pretending to buy a girl a beer. The plot is part comedy, part drama and no Hollywood film is complete without some cliché’s. However, this film does hold a special place in my movie-going heart.
Harrison Ford brought his talent to Kaua‘i and was incredibly generous to locals. He frequented numerous coffee shops, obliged fans with photos and autographs and even stopped by our family restaurant. But he wanted something fast, and we only made fresh stuff.
The film was released in the summer of 1998. Ford was a licensed pilot, so he did some of his own flying featured in the film. Outside the obvious studio shots, the film’s external scenes were shot mainly around Kaua‘i. The high altitude scenes and jump scene were all filmed at Na Pali Coast State Park. The building that served as the airport terminal is still sitting in a field in Aliomanu Estates.
It’s available at the Lihu‘e Public Library, or you can order it within the Hawai‘i State Public Library System.
• Paul Booth of Lihu‘e is a Kaua‘i Community College graduate, film producer and consultant. He can be reached at pkb_1@hotmail.com.
