We made reservations to visit the Kualoa Ranch in Kaneoke where Kendall worked before Covid shut down the school and all tourist locations in 2020. It is back open offering great excursions. The ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch, as well as a popular tourist attraction and filming location on the windward coast of Oahu. The ranch consists of 3 valleys: Kaʻaʻawa Valley, Kualoa Valley, and Hakipuʻu Valley.
While we waited for our Jurassic Adventure Tour time in our open-air bus, we looked at different artifacts on the property including photos of films, TV shows and actors that have been filmed and worked here. More than 79 movies and TV shows have been filmed at Kualoa over the years, including Paradise, Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, You, Me and Dupree, Hawaii Five-0, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, Jumanji, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Lost.
We boarded our bus for our two and half hour tour. The mountains and valleys are spectacular. Flash-backs of films shot in this area come rushing into our minds.
Underground bunkers, wild boars, and the shoreline are only parts of what is on this tour.
One of the stops allowed us de-board and walk through a mountain bunker where several movie props are displayed ... Hawaii Five-O, Lost, Jumanji, Jurassic World, King Kong and more.
Exiting the bunker was a great spot for a photo shoot which our most knowledgeable driver and guide volunteered to take a family shot for us.
We found our way to Jurassic Valley where many recognizable props are viewed. Here is a view of the Lost golf course that Hurley built!
Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle
Moai Stone Statue
Jurassic Park and Jurassic World film location with dinosaur bone graveyard
King Kong - Skull Island Film Location
Jurassic Valley at Kualoa Ranch
Such a wonderful day at the ranch. Our docent guide was wonderful. If ever on Oahu we can attest that the Kualoa Ranch is one attraction not to miss! We found our way over to The Byodo-In Temple, a
non-denominational shrine located in the
Valley of the Temples. It was dedicated in August 1968 to commemorate 100-year
anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple is a replica
of a 900-year-old Buddhist temple at Uji in Kyoto prefecture of Japan. This was used in the television series Lost as the place where Jin and Sun were married in South Korea.
A 3 ton “Peace Bell” called Bon-sho (sacred bell) is housed in its own small building called Kanetru-ki-do at the entrance of the property. The deep tone of the bell is said to send a message of deep calm and peace to the mind, cleansing it of evil and temptation.
The bell is customarily rung before entering the temple by swinging a suspended soft wooden log (called the shu–moku). Ringing the bell is said to create an atmosphere of tranquility bringing happiness, blessings and long life. We all took turns ringing the bell as demonstrated by Evan and Jordan!
The Byodo-In Temple grounds are beautiful and peaceful. A large 2 acre reflecting pond encircles the temple and adds an elegant accent to the lush landscaping and towering cliffs of the Ko’olau mountains of which the property is nestled in front. Peacocks, swans, and doves wander about the grounds and pond that is filled with thousands of colorful Koi fish, a highly respected symbol of Japan’s national identity believed to invoke luck, good fortune and prosperity.
Small waterfalls, gardens and meditation niches surround the temple
where various statues and sculptures can be discovered.
Inside the 11,000-square foot temple is a nine-foot statue of a Lotus Buddha, a wooden image which is covered in gold and lacquer depicts Amitabha, also known as the Amida Buddha. The meditating Buddha is known for his attribute of longevity, deep awareness of the emptiness of phenomena, and the possession of infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives. Calling upon his name as few as ten times is said to secure a re-birth, upon death, into the Pure Land, a place where one “possesses happiness.” Pure Land Buddhism is built on the belief that we will never have a world which is not corrupt, so we must strive for re-birth in another plane of existence known as the “Pure Land.” Though this is not a practicing Buddhist Temple, respectful can be felt on these grounds.
We wrapped-up our day at Matsumoto's Shave Ice in Haleiwa on the North Shore. If you want the best shave ice on the island, then Matsumoto's is a must!
Complete photo album at this click-on link.
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