LIHU‘E — Mike Powell, arriving here with his new bride Tara, is the police chief of Forks, Wash. He is also the stand-in police chief Charlie Swan in the movie based on the popular “Twilight” book series set in the
LIHU‘E — Mike Powell, arriving here with his new bride Tara, is the police chief of Forks, Wash.
He is also the stand-in police chief Charlie Swan in the movie based on the popular “Twilight” book series set in the same location.
“Twilight Territory — A Fan’s Guide to Forks and LaPush” was recently released after being penned by Chris Cook, the former editor of The Garden Island who now is the editor of the Forks Forum in Washington.
“The book is based on articles and photos that have run in the ‘Forks Forum’ based on the creation of the book as well as one of the movies,” Powell said. “Chris did a lot of the articles as well as took the pictures.”
The “Twilight” book series is penned by author Stephenie Meyer who discovered Forks and nearby West End towns and settings while conducting an Internet search during the process of writing her first “Twilight” book, states a forward in “Twilight Territory.”
The fan’s guide to Forks was born as the popularity of Meyer’s book grew following its release in October 2005 and avid fans of “Twilight” began visiting Forks, surprising the town’s residents with their knowledge of the area and the love for the series and its characters.
Powell, whose role in the book and movie is Bella Swan’s father, said the first movie was shot in Oregon since Forks is so remote and there are no film incentives.
A second movie that is scheduled for release in the near future was done in Italy and parts of Canada, Powell said.
“Mike serves as a stand-in for fictional Forks Police Chief Charlie Swan in the books,” Cook said in an e-mail.
Forks is the wettest town in the lower 48 states with about 120 inches of rain each year, according to a chapter from “Twilight Territory.” Visitors experience the misty beauty of the rain forest atmosphere of Forks and the mysterious, dramatic Pacific Coast at LaPush.
It takes about four hours to drive to Forks from SeaTac airport with the car ferry to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton short cuts.
Mike Gurling of the Forks Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center said unlike the “Harry Potter” book series that features imaginary sites, the “Twilight” series is set in real locations in and around the town of Forks and on the coast of LaPush, the home of the Quileute Nation.
“Some fans think Forks is a fictional place,” Gurling said in a chapter from “Twilight Territory” relating to the Chamber. “When they find out it’s a real place, they come out here.”
Powell and his new bride left Kaua‘i, Monday, following a week’s stay.
“Chris gave us a good list of things to do, and we got most of it done,” Powell said. “I need to see someone in human resources because this is a place I wouldn’t mind working in.”
Tammi Andersland, the merchandising supervisor at the Kaua‘i Borders Books & Music, confirmed the availability of the book at their store on Nawiliwili Road.
She said the “Twilight” table has been getting a lot of attention from its shoppers, noting that when the store opens Tuesday morning, they’ll have the movie version of “Half Moon” on sale for “Twilight” fans.
The movie version of Half Moon refers to the second movie that is scheduled for release in November.
“There’s a new trailer online, today,” said Che McCarthy, a “Twilight” fan.
Powell said people can also order “Twilight Territory” by visiting www.forksforum.com.
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
