"Waterworld", a post apocalyptic science fiction film, was filmed on the Big Island of Hawaii early in the 1990s and released in 1995. It claimed to be the most expensive movie ever made at that time (still?) and I can tell you a few reasons why, and it was not necessarily because of the production costs.
The crew had such a good time on the Big Island of Hawaii, they probably just didn't want to leave and stretched out their production stay. I don't know this for sure, but what I do know is that they had a great time night after night at the Big Island Steakhouse, their favorite watering hole and eatery in the King's Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
HERE'S MY STORY:
At the time, I was the public relations consultant for the Waikoloa area, and had my office at the King's Shops. My daughter was taking courses at the University of Hawaii on the island, and was working at the Steakhouse as a cocktail waitress and her fiancee was the bartender. To say their tips were good was an understatement and it paid for their tuition and then some.
My best friend at the time also had a daughter my daughter's age, who met her future husband there. They own the Ferrari Coffee Plantation on the Big Island.
Below is a photo that was taken at the time of the happy Steakhouse employees!
TO BE FAIR:
The production was also expensive because of the collapse of a multi-million dollar set during Hurricane Iniki which I remember VERY well. Even though it was not all that devastating on the Big Island of Hawaii generally, it destroyed Kauai in September, 1992 with its sustained winds of 130 mph. There, Steven Spielberg was just finishing up the movie "Jurassic Park", in fact, it was their last day. Yes, they were ok.
AND WHAT IS MY CURRENT REAL ESTATE CONNECTION WITH THE MOVIE "WATERWORLD"?
Fast forward to my listing at the Mauna Kea Resort which lies close to Kawaihaie Harbor and Waipio Valley (where the last scene of "Waterworld" was filmed) to the north, and Waikoloa Resort a few miles to the south where the crew hung out and where I had my office.
Since the 1990s, Waikoloa's shopping was greatly expanded with the addition of Queen's Shops with lots of services for residents including a post office. Check out the photos of the 36 holes of golf, and the Waikoloa Hotel (one of my clients back then).
For more information on "Waterworld", Wikepedia probably gives a good description of it.
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