Magnum P.I. Filming Locations - A Rubber Chicken Guide

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

These lodgings were to be used both to accommodate the lighthouse keepers and their families (thank you Ivan!)

You're welcome!

I'm pretty familiar with this area because during my 2018 visit I hiked this Makapu'u Trail all the way to the lookout, above the lighthouse. Magnificent views there! Just incredible! I didn't see any shacks or guard houses but I saw these cement blocks in a few spots. My guess is maybe that's the remains of those houses. The foundation or at least part of the foundation. I have pics that I took - will need to review them.

[Gorilla Mask]

Very interesting, informative post!

Thanks for doing the research and taking the time to share your findings....you have entered the league of "super-sleuths" to be sure.

Are you related to "Rembrandts Girl" by any chance? Or maybe Rubber Chicken? Obviously a few others in that club as well, but this just reminded me of some of the info she used to dig up "just looking around".

Thoroughly enjoyed the post, hope to see many more of a like nature from you (as you have time and inclination).

>Hey, thanks '308', i really appréciate your comment !

Welle unfortunately i am not related to RG or RC but i would like so.

I am an admirer of Rubber Chicken and it had been a while since I wanted, with my modest means, to take over a little bit, all things considered because RC has shown a talent for finding the most mythical and improbable places! I'm just an amateur/tinkerer of some sort.

It gives me the impression to be (a little bit) part of this great adventure!

I must say that I regularly have a little help (isn't it, Ivan and Sam?).

[Gorilla Mask]

These lodgings were to be used both to accommodate the lighthouse keepers and their families (thank you Ivan!)

You're welcome!

I'm pretty familiar with this area because during my 2018 visit I hiked this Makapu'u Trail all the way to the lookout, above the lighthouse. Magnificent views there! Just incredible! I didn't see any shacks or guard houses but I saw these cement blocks in a few spots. My guess is maybe that's the remains of those houses. The foundation or at least part of the foundation. I have pics that I took - will need to review them.

That should be quite a great experience !

In the satellite photos one could see what look like to be foundations.

Of course Ivan, some addition in documentation would be appreciated ! Feel free to post your pictures here If you get your hands on it again .

[Gorilla Mask]

Today we should have a first look at « 3-14 – The arrow that is not aimed ».

First, i have to admit that well known Mako was quite impressive in that episode which is mainly sustained by his character and his dilemna.

Besides, i won't go back to whether, in 1982, hiring an old-fashioned samurai to guard an antique japanese plate is the best guarantee (or more discreet mean?) for businessmen...

I was interested to find out where exactly two scenes were filmed: the escape from Gallagher's gift store and the fall of Gallagher's car into the waters of Honolulu harbor...

The first one gave me a little trouble because, from the camera, you never really see the building that houses Gallagher's store and since the Honolulu Harbor's area was extensively rebuilt (edit: see below). This is why the location of the sequence is a bit tricky to spot nowadays.

Nevertheless, from what we understand from the interlude that precedes it is probably at the passenger landing of the port, in other words at the landing of the Aloha Tower.

here are some shots from the episode :

https://ibb.co/3rbQBBv
https://ibb.co/PW2Xy9y

The most important clue is the very tall building, left in the very background, which turns out to be the Prince Kuhio Federal Building (which hold the US federal courthouse), a building that already appears in episode 3.8 - "Foiled again".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Ku ... l_Building

https://ibb.co/Q8cV1xn

Here you can clearly see the 70's modern arches and curved concrete pillars which are clearly those of the Aloha Tower landing compound at that time.

Good clue : here are two shots, with a more distant framing, taken from 1-8 « The ugliest dog in Hawaii »

The Honolulu passenger landing compound was widely rebuilt then but the southern wing (along the pier) remains.

https://ibb.co/2MbPQy5
https://ibb.co/T1w6d4W

This overprint démonstrates that the actual southern (and older) part of the Aloha Tower complex is in the correct angle of view.

https://ibb.co/Tt2TMQ7

So, we could roughly place the scene here, in this 1993 satellite view

https://ibb.co/kJVtpWt

And there, in this 2020 google maps perspective

https://ibb.co/XsYN29K

edit: The whole merchant area was completly overhauled in 1994, with the creation of the Aloha Marketplace which offered numerous shops, restaurants and others services. Active between 1998 and 2002, the Aloha Marketplace suffered a major bankrupcy in 2002. However, the facility was bought by the Hawaii Pacific University which "renovated the shopping center into a mixed-use facility with retail, restaurant, and HPU student dormitories". Thez new complex was commissionned in 2015.

https://ibb.co/N6fsn62

To be continued... Thanks for reading !

[Gorilla Mask]

From time to time, we could view in the show some vehicles quite typical of the 1980s. Some of them are quite exotic, especially on the American market.

Among them there is a French car that had its little success in the US between 1983 and 1985.

Tha was the cas of the Renault FUEGO.

It can be seen in 3.13 - 'of sound mind'; parked near the 'Walker Estate'.

https://ibb.co/dK3RvQT

We find it again, this time for a more important place, in episode 4. 8 - "The Look" as Holly Hudson's personal car.

https://ibb.co/mXz4kNC
https://ibb.co/D4nwB2D
https://ibb.co/X74B6Px

The Renault FUEGO is one of the few attempts by RENAULT to include a sports coupe in its range of mainly family and popular cars - or at least pretend to be in a such way.

The Fuego was supposed to replace the Renault 15 and 17, which had had their moment of glory (in Europe) in the middle and end of the 70's. The Fuego was supposed to take over the technical innovations of the R 18 and R 20, with a very modern look (for the time) and a resolutely sporty engine (for the most up-market models).

https://ibb.co/NCcYGgD
https://ibb.co/ZT2Cbqf

The car was part of the joint-venture initaited between AMC an RENAULT and quite succesful between 1982 and 1987 under the sign ALLIANCE .

Under this form a whole series of French cars were built and marketed in the US with different coverings, accessories and grills. Of course these cars were also 'Americanized' (bigger bumpers, catalyzed motors...). However, this decreased significantly the HP.

https://ibb.co/2sV1YBW

The fuego was quite innovative for it time. First car designed in a wind tunnel with an empressive CX for a sedan. The power was also there with 107 hp for the GTX turbo gazoline ('essence') version and 132 hp for the GTS (and 200 km/h...). The diesel version was the fastest in the world at the time (175 km/H).

Unfortunately, the car quickly lost its appeal compared to the small GTI in Europe, the R18 platform was getting old in 1986 and the image of a car that was both a sports car and a utility sedan was struggling to find its buyers.

Thanks for reading !

[Gorilla Mask]

For more historical and current data regarding Honolulu merchant Harbor , here are somes links:

https://honoluluharbormp.com/history

https://hidot.hawaii.gov/harbors/history/

https://alohatower.com/history/index.html

http://totakeresponsibility.blogspot.co ... arbor.html

http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/re ... hu_166.php

[Gorilla Mask]

Back to 3.14 – « The Arrow that is not aimed »

I was figuring out were Gallagher' car chase and splashdown accurately took place. A rather complex sequence.

Here are some shots :

Image 1 and 2 : we can see the USCG Hamilton class cutters. So that is along or not far from USCG Pier.

https://ibb.co/GTGKRpj

I might also perceive 'things' that looks quite similars to others 'things' on Image 10.

https://ibb.co/9wKgg9N

Image 3 : In the far background you can perceive what could be a loading tower for bulk cargo.

https://ibb.co/KmkZm4S

Image 4 : a big clue here, i see what could be The Pier 2 terminal for ocean liners, south of Aloha Tower terminal.

https://ibb.co/FJjmkxt

In this a large green warehouse and loading cranes are clearly visible with a quite long storage hangar on the pier along which the car runs.

https://ibb.co/DtWS5cH

Image 6 and 7 :The ferrari pass along the USCG Pier and three enormous cranes enter the field of view.

https://ibb.co/qBpLwwR

https://ibb.co/q9W9Chc

Image 8 : obviously, the two cars pass again along the same pier and wharehouse !

https://ibb.co/bQ6w3Z0

Image 9 : Final interception of the fleeing antique plate forger. Again the same green wharehouse from image 5 is clearly visible

https://ibb.co/WyMbSPW

Image 10 : The final Splashdown... IT seems to me that some background 'details' seen on image 2 are present here... however the film resolution is not sufficient...

https://ibb.co/FBLks3X

Mako prepare to plundge. Again you can see one of the USCG cutter, a Pier recess and another big warehouse as a continuation of the pier.

https://ibb.co/7nBdwhs

So, from all these little hints, from this 1978 satellite view, here is my best 'two cents' : most of the scenes could have been taken froma Pier 27 (last part of chase and ferrari interception) and Berth 31 (the final splashdown and recovery).

On the 1978 satellite shot there are not so much big cranes sites. Actually, i could only see one.

The loading tower behind Lee de Broux could be part of today Matson container terminal.

the rather cramped docks obviously forced the director to make a 'dotted' chase! it seems obvious that pieces of the chase were taken from several places, sometimes the same place but from a different point of filming...

See the USCG cutter four or five time, Gallhager closeup, then through the hangar's frames when the ferrari just went through, another time, and after spahsdown. See also the big green warehouse spotted severals times. Looks like they started again and again the same run !

https://ibb.co/ykgf1Vk

Thanks for reading !

[Gorilla Mask]

A little off topic break...

For the few who are fond of historical footage, here are two links among others:

Nice view of Aloha tower terminal during WW2 on this one (with a kind of camouflage).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9UFnspTdqk

Impressive 1944 kodak sequence with several areas depicted. Legend says:

"Opening: two men shake hands (:08). Cars drive in a quiet neighborhood (:28). A tree (:57). A park area, possibly part of Fort Shafter (1:08). Cars pull into a restaurant, the drive in Kau Kau Korner. This 24-hour restaurant was on the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapiolani Blvd. Known as The Crossroads of the Pacific. It was built 1935 and a much photographed landmark for 25 years, and was replaced by Coco's coffee shop in 1960.(1:35). People watch cars drive by (1:48). Inside a bus (1:55). Two Hawaiian women walk down the street past the New Pawaa Theatre, later a Cinerama movie theater (2:00). Behind them a Twin Coach trolley bus glides by. A woman sits, along with other people, they have drinks (2:20). Yellow flowers (2:40). A woman walks by a wall of flowers (3:22). A tree in a yard (3:56). Women and men at a quiet residence, it’s a rather hot day (4:09). Rolling green hills; truck says Clarke-Halawa Rock Co., a local quarry built by Chester Robert Clarke. (4:42). Driving along a road in Hawaii, trees around and below; passing by property that has had trees removed (5:00). Palm trees, cars waiting at a stop light (5:54). A man and a woman on a sidewalk, the man holds a camera (6:13). People at a large park, trees and green grass, probably at Fort Shafter (6:33). Bleachers and chairs on a field for a ceremony to come (7:24). Flowers on the ground (8:14). Children walk their dog on grass (8:28). Men and women at an outdoor swimming pool (9:02). People stand around outside of a home (9:29). A man stands outside amongst the palm trees (9:39). The sun is setting, darkness and trees (10:07). A man in a Hawaiian shirt walks slowly in the darkness (10:49). "

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMll8r0XYzk&t=50s

Sorry people, no Wiki Wiki club here !

[Gorilla Mask]

3-16 : « Birdman of Budapest ».

In this sequence, Magnum goes in search of Dr. Tessa's camp: a former anti-Soviet activist exiled since the Budapest uprising of 1956.

One of the zookeepers directs him to Haiku Valley. As often in the series, the indication is wrong and it is indeed the famous Ka'a'wa Valley (a very steep and unique valley, surrounded by volcanic peeks in the NW of Oahu which has often been a film location), also known as Kualoa Valley.

From the sequence shots, I propose the following locations.

https://ibb.co/fHv6sg9

https://ibb.co/QXRXqvt

https://ibb.co/xLshbyQ

These are the introducing panoramic ('first shot in the google earth map)

https://ibb.co/RQpkVvT

This is the second sequence. Visibly not taken ont the same trail.

https://ibb.co/10LckfF

This on is quite interesting. Contrary to the previous shots which were taken from the SW towards the NE, this one was taken from the opposite (from the N towards the south). this means that Robin 3 4x4 had turned around on the previous road to take this picture! TM should get a compass!

Here is a (possible) little map of these three locations. Of course, after 40 years, there is no certainty.

https://ibb.co/MDZBZp5

Thanks for reading !

[308GUY]

Amazing!

Thanks for posting....

[Gorilla Mask]

Amazing!

Thanks for posting....

Thanks again '308' I tried to figured out where Dr Tessa hideout was set... However, after so much time i was not able to locate the outdoor stage location... I've got some insight about it, but nothing sure... I think Sam would have to help !

[Gorilla Mask]

I noticed that sometimes MPI filming locations were associated with famous or at least notable Hawai's ships. In addition, season 3 shows several scenes filmed in the commercial harbor and docks of Honolulu. Could the producers have had a "wholesale prize" from the harbor master?

In episode 3.17 - "I do ?" the final scene starts on the freight docks of Honolulu's commercial port:

Here, the black limo arrives along a large cargo ship, quite old, about a hundred meters long, moored:

https://ibb.co/SNgrGLT

One sees very well, in the background, and facing, an Hamilton class Cutter of the coast guards. The place of shooting is, thus, in the direct continuation of the main pier of the USCG. It is not the first time that this point of location appears in the episodes and on the images!

https://ibb.co/92fSYNH

So, from that angle of view, the approximate location is within the red circle :

https://ibb.co/cYt4L82

The name of the large cargo ship is clearly visible : FENTRESS.

https://ibb.co/KXH0WRG

This is not a civilian cargo ship. Here is an summary of its history:

USS Fentress (AK-180/T-AK-180) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship acquired by the US Navy during the final months of World War II. In 1950, she was reactivated and placed into service with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS Fentress. She was ultimately transferred to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Fentress was struck from the Navy List on 15 October 1973 and transferred to the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on 20 July 1974.On 4 July 1982, she was transferred permanently to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.This ship was apparently still docked on the Hawaiian Islands in 1982, as it was seen on the Magnum P.I. episode, "I do".The ship was scrapped in 1985.

https://ibb.co/R2fv2d4

For her main data, click the link below :

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130180.htm

Here is a 1968 satellite view where you can perceive, to the south side of main Channel, two cargos at mooring position alongside honolulu pier 1, Foreign containers terminal, Fort Amstrong area.

One of these is aproximately the same size/type of FENTRESS. Actually, it could have been her yet.

I added an approximate position of the camera, prior to the final limo's pursuit.

https://ibb.co/Sd86CWb

Thanks for reading !

[Pahonu]

I noticed that sometimes MPI filming locations were associated with famous or at least notable Hawai's ships. In addition, season 3 shows several scenes filmed in the commercial harbor and docks of Honolulu. Could the producers have had a "wholesale prize" from the harbor master?

In episode 3.18 - "I do ?" the final scene starts on the freight docks of Honolulu's commercial port:

Here, the black limo arrives along a large cargo ship, quite old, about a hundred meters long, moored:

https://ibb.co/SNgrGLT

One sees very well, in the background, and facing, an Hamilton class Cutter of the coast guards. The place of shooting is, thus, in the direct continuation of the main pier of the USCG. It is not the first time that this point of location appears in the episodes and on the images!

https://ibb.co/92fSYNH

So, from that angle of view, the approximate location is within the red circle :

https://ibb.co/cYt4L82

The name of the large cargo ship is clearly visible : FENTRESS.

https://ibb.co/KXH0WRG

This is not a civilian cargo ship. Here is an summary of its history:

USS Fentress (AK-180/T-AK-180) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship acquired by the US Navy during the final months of World War II. In 1950, she was reactivated and placed into service with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS Fentress. She was ultimately transferred to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Fentress was struck from the Navy List on 15 October 1973 and transferred to the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on 20 July 1974.On 4 July 1982, she was transferred permanently to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.This ship was apparently still docked on the Hawaiian Islands in 1982, as it was seen on the Magnum P.I. episode, "I do".The ship was scrapped in 1985.

https://ibb.co/R2fv2d4

For her main data, click the link below :

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130180.htm

Here is a 1968 satellite view where you can perceive, to the south side of main Channel, two cargos at mooring position alongside honolulu pier 1, Foreign containers terminal, Fort Amstrong area.

One of these is aproximately the same size/type of FENTRESS. Actually, it could have been her yet.

I added an approximate position of the camera, prior to the final limo's pursuit.

https://ibb.co/Sd86CWb

Thanks for reading !

Hey GM,
While I may not be as much into location hunting as you or other members, this is very interesting. Thanks for your contributions!

I may be a little more interested than usual this time as a sailor.

[Gorilla Mask]

Ahoy ! Ahoy ! he is a sailor !

I love ol' rowboats too...

thanks friend.

[Gorilla Mask]

Hello to all of you,

Season three offers a lot of opportunities to find multiple locations for shooting. In fact, it seems that the crews have been going around the island quite a bit.

The episode "3.19 - Legacy for a friend" is of this kind.

I'll do a review here... of what was found by several distinguished members... and more modestly, of a small personal contribution. My apologizes, this is quite à long post. I had to divide it into two parts.

1/ The intro scene of the beach volleyball match was quite 'easy' (thanks to the website database!). It was also present in others episodes.

https://ibb.co/j8MnC1t

This is the volleyball court of the 'Outrigger canoe club', south of the Natatorium Memorial

https://ibb.co/YTYfs6b

2/The place where the police find the body of the unfortunate Marcus is actually Makap'u Beach, opposite Rabbit Island.

https://ibb.co/3ChKxdH

https://ibb.co/WFrHBqn

https://ibb.co/gFvSzbT

https://ibb.co/N7Ycmct

https://ibb.co/GxQF0sD

One will notice the erosion, especially of the dunes which seem much less high than in 1982.

3/ The quite exclusive club where TM and Mrs Chase had their first meeting was found by Rubber Chicken, and it was a remarkable find.

https://ibb.co/cxVW5x6
https://ibb.co/GpLGtFt
https://ibb.co/86jmC15

Here is what RC noticed in his guide : « The home on this property (and likely the pool as well) was demolished in 2000, and the land is now known as Kokee Beach Park.
However, I think it's correct to say that the building rights on this parcel belong to a private individual who tore down the original home, and plans to build a new private residence in the near future.
487 Portlock Road. Home built in 1939, demolished in 2000. »

https://ibb.co/yfW40ZR

I may add that the place (the 1939 house not the garden) was already used as Dr. Harriman home in episode 3.12.

4/ A long traveling with the ferrari passing from one street to another. This place was found by Robin 23 on the forum:

http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic ... 5&start=71

So the Ferrari was driving Kahala Avenue and the triange shaped park is Operation Redwing Medal of Honor Park.

Here is the place in 1982 and today

https://ibb.co/yd73426

This mansion is still there today. the original rounded door does not exist anymore.

https://ibb.co/k1KbYgC

https://ibb.co/hWm2tTT

5/ The tourist market where TM and Tracy look for information about Marcus' activities is the China Town cultural plaza.

A famous place in Chinatown, the place of market exhibition but also of concerts and cultural events.

Carla (Julia Nickson) sits on the top step of the moongate stage where cultural events take place from time to time.

https://ibb.co/KW9v0T5
https://ibb.co/YDd1cxQ
https://ibb.co/gyhFv1F
https://ibb.co/4mWL25q

https://ibb.co/Z21N4fw

After 40 years, the place is in the very same appearance.

https://ibb.co/my7zJQ8