When Lost debuted in 2004, it captured the world’s attention with it’s mysteries and personal stories. While satisfaction with how the story wrapped up remains under debate, the success of the series is not.
The show ran for 6 seasons on ABC, and was filmed almost entirely on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. The location managers were able to find locations around the island to fill in for scenes taking place around the world.
A number of websites have in depth information about lots of locations used for the show. As with my entire site, I will feature the locations that I’ve personally visited.
The Beach
In order to film a crashed airliner on a beach, the production needed to find a secluded area where they could scatter debris around a fuselage. They found their secluded spot along Farrington Hwy, west of Hale’iwa. This area gave them space, away from any developed areas, to set up and film as needed.
Dillingham Airfield
Dillingham Airfield is a small private airport along Farrington Hwy, close to the area used to film the beach scenes. This airfield is where the fuselage was stored when filming shut down for the season.
The Sydney Airport
Throughout the series, scenes depicted the Sydney Airport, where the ill-fated Oceanic Airlines flight departed from. These scenes were filmed at the Hawaii Convention Center in downtown Honolulu. Through the use of some signage and a couple check-in counters, the lobby was transformed into an airport.
This same lobby was also used for filming Jurassic World. It appeared as the Hilton Isla Nublar Hotel.
The Banyan Tree
While several banyan trees appeared on the show, one prominent one is located at the Turtle Bay Resort. This tree is on the resort property but a considerable hike from the hotel itself. It is easier to park along King Kamehameha Hwy and walk in. There is a series of hiking trails that will take you to the tree.
The Others Camp
The Others Camp was also filmed along the North Shore, at the YMCA Camp Erdman. The camp’s property falls on both sides of the Highway, and is easy to explore on foot. The mountain side has all the cabins used as sleeping quarters.
Across the highway is the beach side of the camp. The Other’s Assembly Hall is located here, as is the office for the camp.
As this is a working camp for children, please treat your visit with the same respect you would with a school. Please check out my guidelines for visiting these types of locations, and keep in mind you will need to check in at their office before visiting. I would also suggest emailing ahead to make sure it is convenient.
The Nigerian Village
Mr. Eko’s Nigerian Village was filmed just outside Hale’iwa. The old sugar mill and it’s smoke stack was made to resemble a factory in Nigeria for these scenes.
Hurley’s Golf Course
For a little recreation, Hurley built himself a golf course. This was filmed at the famous Kualoa Ranch, which has appeared in many other films and television shows.
The Tempest Station
A World War 2 era bunker was seen a couple times on Lost. This bunker is also found at Kualoa Ranch, known as the Cooper Battery Bunker.
This bunker can be visited on most tours to Kualoa Ranch, and has displays of a number of productions filmed at the ranch. From Lost, you’ll find a room containing the fibreglass submarine, as well as a number of props from the show.
The Submarine Jetty
The actual location where the submarine scenes were filmed are also on the ranch, down by the Moli’i fish pond. As the pond is not open to the ocean, this created an ideal setting with calm waters to film. As the sub is just a fibreglass shell, it was actually just tower by underwater cables to appear as though it was sailing.
The below dock is not actually the one used on the show, but it is overlooking the same Moli’i Fish Pond that was used for these scenes.
Jin and Sun’s Wedding
The Byodo-In Temple near Kaneohe was the perfect backdrop for Jin and Sun’s wedding. This Buddhist temple was built in 1968 and the wedding scene was filmed on a grassy area just across the pond from the temple.
The Ballet Studio
On Lost, the character of Shannon is a ballet teacher. During flashbacks, her ballet studio scenes were filmed at a local studio. The Queen Emma Ballet is right in downtown Honolulu, near the Hawaii State Capitol Building and the office from Dog The Bounty Hunter.
Have you had the chance to visit any of the Lost locations? If so, please let me know in the comments below.
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