Is 'NCIS Hawai'i' actually filmed in Hawai'i?
One of the reasons behind 'NCIS: Hawai'i's success was the show's willingness to maintain its authenticity. If the action was set to take place in the islands of Aloha, then that's what it did rather than take the route of building a set. Created by 'NCIS: New Orleans' producers Christopher Silber and Jan Nash, along with Matt Bosack, the latest spin-off joins 'NCIS: Los Angeles' and 'NCIS', and is now set to run with its second season after an impressive first outing.
The official synopsis reads, "The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of Hawai'i as the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor takes command. She and her team balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security, and the mysteries of the island itself. This NCIS: Hawai'i team is a skilled mix of mainland transplants who’ve relocated to the tranquility of the Pacific and wizened locals who know their mahalo from kapu." And on that note, we take a look at the impressive cast that the season boasted of.
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Is 'NCIS: Hawai'i' actually filmed in Hawai'i?
In one word, 'NCIS: Hawai'i was actually filmed in 'Hawai'i'. Initially, the series was looking at using the production facilities built for 'Hawaii Five-0' — a 15-minute drive away from Honolulu. The set was a7.5-acre piece of land with a 16,500 square foot soundstage. The other location was at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, a military base eight miles adjacent to Honolulu. For the second season, the filming began in Oahu under standard COVID-19 safety protocols.
It was reported that cast members Beulah Koale and Alex Tarrant performed the haka on the last day of filming as they way of thanking the crew for all the hard work. Per a Collider report, "Hana Hou," a Hawaiian term that stood "work anew" and "try again" were seen as the key phrases as filming began in June 2022.
'NCIS: Hawai'i' Season 2 premieres September 19 on CBS.