Jurassic Park Movies: Real Life In Kualoa

Experience the closest thing to Jurassic Park on earth. Many of the scenes on the Jurassic Park movies were filmed on the gorgeous island of Kauai. Filled with wildlife, this island has cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. Due to the amazing wildlife and geology, this area was used for the panoramic aerial shots in Jurassic World.

Today, visitors can relive scenes from the movie at the Kualoa Ranch. Spanning 4,000 acres of land, this cattle ranch provided the setting for Isla Nublar and films based in Hawaii. Interestingly, the entire island serves as a real world example of what happens when animals run amok. In real life, flocks of feral chickens have taken over the island due to minimal predators and plenty of food sources.

A
Zipline Tour of the Ka'a'awa Valley

While hiking trips, all-terrain vehicle tours and movie tours are available, one of the best ways to experience the Kualoa Ranch is through the Jurassic Zipline. Following the treetop canopy, the tour includes an impressive seven tandem sections, three miniature hiking trails and two suspension bridges. The hiking trails take only five minutes to walk, so the majority of the tour is spent soaring through the air.

Depending on the zipline, the length varies from 2200 feet to a quarter of a mile.
As visitors zip across the skyline, they will cross natural streams, abundant plant life and animals as they get a panoramic view of the valley.

Life in Kualoa

As one of the world's most famous private nature reserves, Kualoa has a storied history. Created in 1850 as a cattle ranch, the 4,000 acres of Kualoa hosted 500 head of cattle from the steep cliffs to the ocean. Terrain in this area varies from sandy, pristine beaches to jaw-dropping cliffs. In the past, the Kualoa Private Nature Reserve was the site of the films 50 First Dates, Windtalkers, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Jurassic World, Godzilla and Tears of the Sun.

On the property, there are two main areas. The Ka'a'awa Valley is home to most of the movies. On the southern half of the reserve, the Hakipu'u Valley contains an 800-year-old fishpond and a secluded beach. Long before these sites became a part of the reserve, they were considered sacred locations by ancient Hawaiians. Once a residence of kings, the location was a site where the royal family was once schooled on history, war and
society.

Back in 150, King Kamehameha III sold 622 acres of land to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd, a missionary doctor. Over time, Dr. Judd increased his holdings with purchases from Queen Kalama and others to create the 4,000 acre reserve. The entire land is held under the name of Dr. Judd's descendants who are known as the Morgan family today.

From 183 to 1870, the Kualoa Sugar Mill was run on the island.
Years of drought and minimal rainfall caused it to be closed down. Later on in World War II, the United States military set up an extra airstrip in Kualoa. While the military no longer has a presence, Kualoa is still owned and maintained by the sixth generation of Dr. Judd's family.

Zoom Through History

From the top of the Ka'a'awa Valley, visitors can zoom through the past and present of the Ka'a'awa Valley on the Jurassic Zipline. For the thrill seeker or nature enthusiast, this zipline offers an ideal way to safely zip through the valley. Beforehand, a tour guide will cover the different types of flora, fauna and history that will be covered during the tour. Afterward, visitors can enjoy suspension bridges, nature trails and multiple ziplines.

As you prepare for your Oahu Zipline tour, make sure to pack your camera and insect repellent. Pull back your hair, wear long pants and put on closed-toed shoes for an added level of security. Tours leave Waikiki at 7:00 A.M. And return around 2:30 P.M., so be prepared for an entire day of adventures and once-in-a-lifetime moments at the Jurassic
Zipline.