As clients wait for the all clear to visit Hawaii again, travel advisors can keep them excited about the destination by recommending island-centric books, movies, television shows and webcams.
Such positive reflections of Hawaii can help clients feel like they’re engaging with the Aloha State before they’ve even arrived.
Following are a few instant portals to paradise, sure to whet clients’ appetites for future trips to the tropics.
Books
Hawaii has inspired countless page-turners. Here are five of our favorites to curl up with:
- “Aloha Shirt,” by Dale Hope, celebrates Hawaii’s famous garb with colorful photos, insightful interviews and stories about its evolution.
- “Hawaii,” James Michener’s classic, weaves fact with fiction as it traces the destination’s history, from its volcanic beginnings to its missionaries, plantations and statehood.
Clients can picture themselves in island togs while reading "The Aloha Shirt."
Credit: 2020 www.thealohashirt.com- “The House Without a Key,” by Earl Derr Biggers, rekindles 1920s Honolulu through the adventures of fictional detective Charlie Chan.
- “Molokai,” a compelling historical novel by Alan Brennert, follows a Hawaiian girl who rises above her banishment to Kalaupapa, the 19th-century leper colony.
- “Pidgin to da Max,” by Douglas Simonson, offers an upbeat look at local words and phrases along with entertaining illustrations.
Movies
Over the decades, Hawaii’s good looks have made it a popular production site for movies like these:
- “Blue Hawaii,” a retro romp, showcases the talents of Elvis Presley and the beauty of Coco Palms, formerly a landmark resort on Kauai.
- “50 First Dates,” starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, was filmed primarily on Oahu. The dreamy landscape nearly upstages the romantic action.
- “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” another rom-com, gives Oahu’s North Shore — especially Turtle Bay Resort — some alluring exposure.
- “Jurassic Park” filmed some of its scenes at Kualoa in windward Oahu, where clients can go on movie and TV site tours during their next island visit.
- “The Descendants” takes George Clooney’s character to memorable locations on Oahu and Kauai, including a scene shot in Hanalei’s beloved Tahiti Nui bar.
TV Shows
Viewers can practically smell the plumeria while watching these TV shows filmed in Hawaii:
- “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” a reality series that ran from 2003-2012, followed Duane Chapman as he tracked down and arrested bail jumpers in Hawaii.
- “Hawaii Five-0” enjoyed two long runs while showing off Hawaii’s scenery. The first spanned 1968-1980; the other is about to wrap up its 10th and final season.
Easy-to-stream TV shows like "Lost" showcase the stunning scenery of Hawaii.
Credit: 2020 ABC- “Lost” filmed most of its scenes in Hawaii, specifically on Oahu. Mokuleia Beach, Kualoa and the forests near Turtle Bay Resort were prominently featured.
- “Magnum, P.I.” has two versions: the 1980s Tom Selleck original; and the current reboot with Oahu backdrops such as Waikiki Beach and La Mariana Sailing Club.
Webcams
For you-are-there thrills, advisors can recommend live streams such as the following:
- Beaches and waterfalls in real time: explore.org/livecams/hawaii
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: www.nps.gov/havo
- Kailua-Kona’s waterfront on Hawaii Island: www.konaweb.com/cam
- Kauai’s north shore, including the cliff formation nicknamed Bali Hai: www.hdontap.com
- Haleakala Volcano’s summit, on Maui: www.nps.gov/media
A click of the keyboard takes clients to real-time Hawaii locations like Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
Credit: 2020 Marriott Hawaii- Ocean views from Marriott resorts around the state: www.marriotthawaii.com/webcams
- Waikiki Aquarium’s Hawaiian monk seal habitat: www.youtube.com
