Magnum Mania!

Kapu

Episode ID: 137
Episode Number: 7.10
Air Date: 11/26/1986
Writer: Deborah Dean Davis
Director: Ivan Dixon
Producer: Rick Weaver
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Recurring Characters

Elisha Cook Jr. (Icepick)

Guest Stars

Marlene Sai (Makua Wahine Luka), Dick Jensen (Mano), Deborah Calbero (Alealea), Jeannie Elias (Rita), Larry Pennell (Norm Vogel), Kimo Hugho (Trader), Karen Keawehawaii (Bag Lady)

Plot Outline

When a beautiful island girl witnesses a murder, Magnum finds himself protecting her and the old native ways of "Forbidden Island" as the killers try to catch up to them.

Rating

8.0 (17 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 Elements of traditional Hawaiian culture are heavily showcased in this episode - traditional dress, Makahiki ceremonies, Outrigger canoes, and a large Luau (with Hula dancing and a smoked Kalua pig) are all seen.

2 An original musical score by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter is used to great effect in the opening scene. [audio]

3 The island of "Kapu" is fictional, but is heavily based on the real Hawaiian island of Niihau, "The Forbidden Isle", which is home to only native Hawaiians. A close-up shot of a map [pic] is seen in the episode which shows the location of "Kapu" as just a few miles north of Molokai (the three other islands NW of "Kapu" are also not real islands). The word Kapu, however, has a long history in Polynesian culture. The modern Hawaiian usage of the word means "something that is taboo, or forbidden". Kapu is often used on 'No Trespassing' signs in the Hawaiian Islands.

4 Local Hawaiian singer, dancer, and Waikiki showroom star Dick Jensen (Mano) makes his fifth and final appearance on the show. He previously had small roles in "Death and Taxes" (7.6), "The Kona Winds" (6.4), "Blind Justice" (5.7) and "Three Minus Two" (2.22).

5 Local Hawaiian singer Marlene Sai (Makua Wahine Luka) makes her only credited TV or Film appearance. Sai got her start in showbiz singing with Don Ho at his mom's club Honey's in Kaneohe.

6 Aloha Tower and Honolulu Harbor are used as filming locations.

7 Rita (Jeannie Elias) is Rick's cousin. This is the first family member of Rick's we've seen since Season Four's "Distant Relative" (4.4).

8 In the scene with Norm Vogel at the jewelry store, one of the paintings from Higgins' study can be seen in the background. [pic]

9 Magnum uses the phrase "Unfinished Business", a slight foreshadowing of Season Eight's "Unfinished Business" (8.8).

10 In the end-credits, a brief outtake shot (still only) of Mano and Magnum in a canoe can be seen that was not in the episode. (Noted by Shermy)

Quotes

1
Magnum: Somewhere, way far in the back of my mind, I knew where I was and why, but I couldn't bring it around in front of me where I could see it. And the harder I tried, the more it slipped away from me. Almost as if this village itself was draining away part of my memory, along with my strength. Was there a girl, or was she only a part of my disturbing dreams? Had she brought me here, or had I come on my own? I knew if I was going to find out what had happened, I was going to have to leave this place, with help, or without.
(short time later)
... Kapu, the "Forbidden Island". The place furiously protected by a group of Hawaiians who no longer welcomed strangers to their land. I wondered how long they would tolerate me here. (Narration)

2
Icepick: Does it ever occur to you that you are always having to bail your friend Magnum out of trouble?
Rick: Not always. (smiles)
Icepick: Well, I think you ought to consider hanging around the better class of friends.
Rick: Thomas is ok, thanks Icepick.

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