South Pacific

Growing up I loved the musical South Pacific.  Many years later, in April of 2026 actually, I took a trip to Kauai, Hawaii and was able to visit the beach where part of South Pacific was filmed.  Hanalei Pier and Hanalei Bay are both featured prominently in the movie, especially in the opening scenes.  Other beautiful places featured in the movie include:

*    Na Pali Coast

*    Kalalea Mountain

*    Mount Makana on the northern coast of Kauai represented Bali Ha'i

*    the former Birkmyre Estate served as Emile's home

*    Lumahai Beach where "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" was filmed

*    Kilauea Slippery Slide, which is no longer open to the public.  This man-made slide built at the Kilauea Falls was created specifically for the movie.  It was closed because tragedies occurred there, including drownings.

*    Tunnels Beach

Hanalei Bay & Hanalei Pier

A lot of the movie was filmed at Hanalei Bay.  The song "There Is Nothin Like a Dame" was filmed on this beach:  There is Nothin' Like a Dame  Bloody Mary sings "Bali Ha'i" on this beach also:  Bali Ha'i and here is the song Bloody Mary, which was also filmed on the Hanalei beach:  Bloody Mary

Hanalei Bay from the air

Hanalei Bay is located here:  Hanalei Bay

Here is a scene from South Pacific filmed at Hanalei Beach and pier:  South Pacific opening scene

Kalalea Mountain

Kalalea Mountain, or Gorilla Head Mountain, can be seen from the plane as Lt. Joseph Cable is being flown into the base.  It was also the filming location of Emile and Lt. Cable when they went to spy on the Japanese and send radio messages to the base.  In fact, there is a window right next to the gorilla's head, that used to be much bigger before a rock collapse in the 1980's, and they set up camp inside this arch.  

Kalalea Mountain, the one that looks like a gorilla's head, is shown as they are flying over Kauai in the arrival scene.

Kalalea Mountain is located here:  Kalalea Mountain

This is a screenshot from the movie, showing Kalalea Mountain with the "Hole in the Mountain" next to it.  This hole is not as big as it used to be back then.  

I am not sure if Lt Cable and Emile were actually inside the hole or if they created this arch on a stage somewhere, but they are supposedly looking out through the Hole in the Mountain next to the Gorilla Head.  

Kalalea Mountain can be seen from many places on the island and is very recognizable.

Kalalea Mountain from a distance

Kalalea Mountain is the pointed peak that is shaped like a gorilla's head

Kalalea Mountain

Na Pali Coast, Kauai

The Na Pali Coast serves as a backdrop several times during the movie.  

The Na Pali Coast