Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park filming location)

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, about 39 kilometres from Waikiki. It was established in 1850. The ranch has three valleys: Kaaawa, Kualoa and Hakipuu.

Its steep green valleys have become a favourite filming spot, appearing in movies such as Jurassic Park, Jumanji and Kong: Skull Island. It is also a visitor attraction where people can explore the land. The first sugar plantation here closed in 1870, and during World War II part of the land became an airfield. It is a place where Hawaiian history, farming and movie magic meet.

A sacred valley

Kualoa was sacred to ancient Hawaiians from the 13th to the 18th century. Chief Laamaikahiki settled here, and the valley was the site of sacred drums and a hill linked to the Kingdom of Oahu. According to an ancient chant, Kualoa is where the first taro plant grew from the burial place of Haloa. In 1850 Dr. Gerrit P. Judd bought land at Kualoa from King Kamehameha III.

Sugar, soldiers and movies

In 1863 two relatives started a sugarcane plantation and built a mill, but low rainfall brought the farming to a close and the mill shut in 1870. Its ruins can still be seen beside the highway. During World War II the American military used the land for Kualoa Airfield, and afterwards it was returned to the family that owned it. Today the ranch is a ranch, a nature reserve and a film location.

On the globe

The toy globe marks Kualoa Ranch on Oahu's windward coast. Zoom in on the green valleys that appear in movies.