Where is Magnum PI filmed? The Robin's Nest House: Filming Locations Guide
Posted by Ra Moon
The reboot of the 1980s television show Magnum, P.I. is back for season five packed with big action, an awesome house, drama sprinkled with humor, and a badass detective trashing Ferraris when the occasion calls for it.
The Magnum series was filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. This is a great opportunity to check out some fabulous filming locations on this amazing island.
The Magnum series was filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. This is a great opportunity to check out some fabulous filming locations on this amazing island.
A mustacheless Jay Hernandez (El Diablo from Suicide Squad) portrays legendary Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV, who is on this occasion an Afghanistan veteran, turned private investigator.
Perdita Weeks plays Juliet Higgins, a former MI-6 agent bringing sexual tension into the household. Zachary Knighton (Rick), Stephen Hill (TC), Tim Kang (Katsumoto), and Amy Hill (Kumu) complete the core cast.
In addition to a possible Tom Selleck cameo, the series shares a fictional universe with Hawaii Five-O and MacGyver, so we can expect to see a few new crossovers between them.
The new location of Magnum's house: Robin's Nest
So where is Magnum PI's house? The original iconic estate owned by millionaire novelist Robin Masters, known as Robin's Nest, was demolished in April 2018.
In real life, this beachfront estate of the '80s mustached hero was standing at 41-505 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo.
(You can open all the locations on Google Maps by clicking on the links below in the captions ↴)
Image courtesy of NBC - Old Robin's Masters Estate Map
Image courtesy of NBC - Old Robin's Masters Estate Map
Let’s start with the exterior of the new property, managed by Juliet Higgins. It's partially inspired by an oceanfront estate at 49-3 Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe (pictured on the bottom).
This is where the Doberman yard chase from the pilot was filmed, featuring the lovely dogs Apollo and Zeus. Compare the mountain range in the background of the top house with the middle pic, taken on Kualoa Ranch: the hills were digitally photoshopped into the image.
There is no mansion like this on the grounds of Kualoa Ranch; as you can see, the house doesn't exist, it was completely generated by CGI.
Images courtesy of CBS and Anthony Goto - Map
The aerial establishing shot of Robin's Estate, which appears in almost every episode, is situating the fictional house at Kualoa Regional Park.
Image courtesy of CBS - Map
The Magnum house is actually an amalgam of several locations. Most of the interior and the drive with the massive tree are from the luxurious Banyan House in Hawaii.
The living room and some waterfront interior shots are filmed in this seven-bedroom, 14,000 square feet property, situated just minutes from downtown Honolulu at 4369 Royal Place.
Some rooms are sets built on a soundstage. The series is hosted at Kalaeloa Studio in Kapolei.
Image courtesy of CBS - Banyan House Map
This historic Banyan House was built in 1933 and is known for its unique architecture, which features a Japanese-inspired design and a massive banyan tree in the front yard.
This property was also one of the main locations where Murder Mystery 2 was filmed.
Thanks to Reel News Hawaii, we've discovered many more details about the Robin's Nest; in episode four, season one, Magnum rolls up with a kayak at Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute.
The beautiful covered shed by the seaside is also found here in Lanikuhonua Lagoon.
In the first season, the kayak beach, some interior shots, and the exterior gate entrance are from a house at 50 Kaikea Pl, Kailua.
Also, the same gate was built in a set at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kaneohe.
Season 1 Filming Locations
The producers did not miss the opportunity to show off the alluring landscapes of Hawaii. Every episode shows amazing aerial shots of the island.
In episode one, Magnum is kayaking in Kāneʻohe Bay, near Mokolii islet (Chinaman's Hat), with Kualoa Mountain Range in the background. The opening credits sequence also features this scenery.
Image courtesy of Anthony Quintano - Map
Magnum P.I also shot several scenes in Kualoa Ranch, an unmissable location for any production filming in Oahu.
Series like Lost, the Jurassic Park movies, and the locations of the new Jumanji movie were all filmed here.
You might notice that the very first scene from the pilot episode in North Korea features a Hawaiian Longhorn Bull.
A lot of the action takes place in Honolulu and its surroundings. In episode one, the house of Magnum's friend (where the Ferrari 488 Spider gets a good share of bullets) is located at Poipu Pl in Honolulu.
Magnum finds the ambulance under a bridge in Keeaumoku St with Lunalilo Fwy. The Korean food stall of the same episode was shot at Waikiki Beach.
Image courtesy of Edmund Garman - Maps: Poipu Pl - Keeaumoku St / Map 2
TC's chopper takes off from the real Magnum Helicopters Helipad at 130 Iolana Place in Honolulu.
The company owns the Hughes 500 model from the original TV series, which is the same used for the new show and also for taking tourists on a tour of the island.
Image courtesy of CBS - Map
In the second episode, Magnum and Rick visit Steve and Danno's restaurant from Hawaii 5-0 in Manoa Valley. Also in the same episode, Magnum and Higgins have a romantic evening at the Nobu restaurant in Ward Village.
In episode 3, the elementary school and the library featuring an apparently life-size model of a sperm whale are the Bishop Museum of Honolulu (pictured).
Image courtesy of CBS - Maps: Bishop Museum / Nobu Restaurant
In episode 4, the skyscraper with external elevators is the First Hawaiian Bank main branch in downtown Honolulu.
There is also a short scene filmed at Ko Olina Lagoon 4 (lower pic).
The graffiti street art was filmed on Cooke St, in the heart of Kakaako, one of the coolest neighborhoods of Honolulu. Google Maps is not up-to-date, so you can't see it on Street View, but more pics and a map of the murals put together by the POW! WOW! collective can be found here.
Episode 4 was also filmed in the Old Police Station Building at 842 Bethel St.
In episode 6, Magnum's friends go surfing at the beach in Maili Point, with the hill of Puʻu O Hulu in the background.
The boar hunter's house was filmed at Heeia Kea Jungle, one of the most frequently used locations to film generic jungle stuff in the island, after Kualoa (the Jurassic movies, Jumanji, Lost, or The Hunger Games: Catching Fire filmed scenes here).
Episode 8: The hospital was filmed at Kahuku Medical Center (at the north end of the island). The battlefield and the shootout at the end of the episode were shot at Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Station, also in Kahuku.
The Moku Market where the bad guys are beating up Bobby is the check-in office and store at Malaekahana Beach Campground, Kahuku (top picture).
Some driving scenes were filmed in a small portion of Kaukonahua Road in Central Oahu. Finally, an easy spot to find: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (lower image).
Images courtesy of CBS - Malaekahana Camping Map - Airport
In episode 10, Maika Hotel is actually the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko'Olina. This is the same The Wrong Missy hotel resort featured in the Netflix movie.
The lower scene from the same episode was filmed on Fort Street Mall, between Pioneer Plaza and the American Savings Bank.
Images courtesy of CBS - Four Seasons Map - Fort St Mall Map
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office from episode 13 was filmed in the Italian villa La Pietra in Honolulu. Built in 1922, this magnificent estate hosts a school for girls.
The last action scene of episode 14 was shot in the old Hawaiian Flour Mills off Nimitz Highway, in the heart of Honolulu Harbor.
Images courtesy of CBS - La Pietra Map / Silos Map
In almost every episode Robin's Ferrari is running up and down the spectacular Interstate H-3 Viaducts.
In episode 15 there is also a key scene that takes place at the entrance of the Imperial Star Destroyer-esque Tetsuo Harano Tunnels.
Image courtesy of CBS and Casey Loagan Bassett / Map
The courtroom from episode 16 was filmed in the beautiful downtown United States Postal Service building at Merchant and Richards street.
The gas station where Magnum refills the Ferrari with ten pitiful dollars is Saiki Motors in Waipahu. The fight scene was shot in the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki.
Image courtesy of CBS - Postal Service Map / Gas station Map / Ritz-Carlton Map
The exterior of the police station is at the Oahu Veterans Center at 1298 Kukila St. Katsumoto's house from S01E18 is situated at 2872 Manoa Rd, also in Honolulu.
The bridge in Mong Ton (Myanmar) from episode 20 was shot in Kaiaka Bay on the north of the island, the same location where Netflix' movie Triple Frontier was filmed.
Image courtesy of CBS - Police Station Map / Bridge Map
Season 2 Filming Locations
Obviously, the Great Wall of China from episode one was not filmed on location. The whimsical intro was all done using CGI.
Magnum, Higgins, and Rick watch a video on the iconic Waikiki Beach. The tattoo shop is open at 1001 Waimanu St in Kaka'ako, and the bank scene was shot in the junction of King Street and Smith Street in Honolulu Downtown.
La Mariana Restaurant from S02E2 is a real classic tiki bar in Honolulu. This relic of old Hawaii, adorned with traditional decorations, also served as a set for the Hawaii Five-O TV show.
Images courtesy of CBS - Map
The series is filmed in many iconic Hawaiian locations. Episode four shows some views of the colorful Aloha Stadium Hawaii in Aiea.
The hotel from S02E07 is the Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, in the north of Oahu island.
Images courtesy of CBS - Aloha Stadium Map / Turtle Bay
Episode 16 Farewell to Love features some cool locations. Magnum and Higgins pretend to be a romantic couple making an excursion to Mt Tantalus Lookout at Puu Ualakaa State Park.
The beach where two tourists parody the From Here to Eternity 1953 classic movie kiss with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr is the Hālona Blowhole. The trip continues to Waimea Valley, the north shore of Oahu (Puu Hele Crest according to the tour guide), and Waimea Falls. Then on to Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.
The stained glass temple from episode 17 is St. Augustine Church By The Sea in Ohua Avenue.
Images courtesy of CBS - Maps: Mt Tantalus viewpoint / Waterfall / Church
The Asian-looking house from the intro in the first episode of season four is the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of a historic Japanese temple built in 1968 near Kaneohe.
Image courtesy of CBS - Map
The hotel of the wedding in the fifth episode of the fourth season is the Kahala Hotel and Resort, located on a private beach just outside Honolulu.
This luxury complex was also featured in the 2019 he ABC movie Same Time, Next Christmas, and the 2021 Hallmark Channel comedy, You Had Me at Aloha.
Image courtesy of CBS - Map
Can you help to improve this article about the shooting locations of Magnum P.I.? To complete and correct this report, any feedback, info, or images that you may have are more than welcome. Thank you!
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NOTICE: If you’re using this information on your website, please credit and link to this page as a source.
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Ra Moon
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As a fan of the current Magnum P.I. tv show, it's refreshing to get the low-down as to where Robin's Nest actually is and the other equally impressive filming locals. Thanks!!
ReplyDeletegreat shame this wasn't done for original series, and especially since we never got an official walk thru of the original Robin Masters estate before tearing it down or when it was actually used for the show. Damn shame. shoulda been a special feature in the dvd set.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, great to know where the new Magnum is being filmed as it's a great show. Love watching Higgings as she's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI visited the original Magnum house and was very sad to see how run down and falling apart it was. Then my next trip back to Hawaii I saw nothing but an empty field. After seeing the first few episodes of the new show, I could not figure out where the new Robin's Nest was. I could not match the background to the island. I have been to Oahu many times and now I understand why I could not find it. Thanks to editing magic. I did see that a lot of the shoots were filmed at the Kualoa Ranch where films have been made for years, as well as the old and new Hawaii 50 and Magnum, P.Is. If anyone makes the trip to Oahu, go take the film location tour offered out at the Kualoa Ranch, I am not trying to bring them business, but they do show a lot of the different movies and TV Shows and locations they filmed there. At least now, on my next trip, I won't have to drive around again looking for the new Robin's Nest. Oh, BTW, my last trip I did see them setting up for a shoot with 2 different ferraris'
ReplyDeletedo you know where I get the tank top from season espiode 1
ReplyDeleteNick, not sure if it's commercially available, it could've been brought in by Jay Hernandez or made specially for the Magnum, P.I. production itself. I know this because I wanted an NCIS ball / uniform cap that had the Carhartt label/emblem on them, like the actors wore a few years ago. I contacted Carhartt directly with a photo of the character's wearing the cap, & was told "these are specially made for the production & not available for sale at this time." The CBS store as of April 2020, doesn't have a page for Magnum P.I. merchandise yet either see, https://www.cbsstore.com/pages/shop-by-show
DeleteI don’t where this house is (but maybe some will recognize it), but CBS posted some Magnum PI zoom backgrounds to their twitter page and the first one appears to be where they got the lawn elements to combine with the Kualoa Regional Park mountains to create the GCI of Robin’s Nest. Still no idea where the actual exterior of the house came from, possibly an artist GCI rendering?
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/MagnumPICBS/status/1244629548399882241?s=20
Also, I believe they have shot several interior Robin Nest Scenes including ones of Magnum’s bedroom at Banyan House (https://www.banyanhousehawaii.com/honolulu-hawaii-luxury-rental-homes/banyan-house-hawaii/photos/)
Thanks, definitely the Banyan House is a key location in the series!
DeleteHmmm, without Tom Selleck this just doesn't feel like Magnum to me.
ReplyDeleteComparing the shows of the 20th Century and 21st Century doesn't help much. The Tom Selleck series was okay, but it doesn't have the new technology to make it more appealing, the digital HD creates the magic of the new series, and the writing is far superior, and better scripted. The new series has more actors and talent that the producers can choose from. This show also pays more tribute to military veterans. That's why they call them Reboots. Imagine if they do Reboots in the 22nd century. Pretty crazy if you ask me.
DeleteI know the difference with the old series, anyway all my thanks and compliments for all these infos!
ReplyDelete(Mauro Martini Raccasi)
I seriously think this is the best show on TV hands-down!!!! If it’s ever removed I will cry my eyes out!!!! It has wet charm humour excitement all wrapped up into one!! And magnum and Higgins are dynamite together !!! I really hope they become a couple soon!!! And the rest of the cast is also dynamite!!!! I love it better than Hawaii Five-0 and that’s saying something!!! Please please don’t ever cancel the show!!!! I love you all 😘😘😘😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteSad they tore it down and sadder yet CBS tries to make $ while spitting on the original show with the garbage "Reboot." Saddest of all, a friend of "NObama" owns the property now. Oh well, at least I have the Original (And ONLY) series that matters. Tom Selleck will ALWAYS be "Magnum."
ReplyDeleteObummer is building his NEW estate on the property. So he will own TWO beachfront properties so apparently global warming and rising oceans isn't a actual concern of his.
DeleteYes, the "new" Magnum is different. I loved the original!! But just enjoy, and don’t compare them!! I love the new one!!
ReplyDeleteI was sad, as many, to hear about the original place being torn down. I live there ( on Oahu) when I was around 10 in Hawaii Kai. But for some reason, I can’t find my old address, which was on the ocean. I wish I could figure out why. I hope to go back someday before long since I’m not well and not getting younger, lol. It moves me to see all these people talking about the old and new show. I was sad when they took Hawaii 5-O off again. My father at that time owned a dry cleaner and did the work for CBS. It was fascinating when I met the original people from Hawaii 5-O. And Jack Lord was our neighbor at Kahala condos.
ReplyDeleteI just hope, before it’s too late, I’ll be able to take my family there and show them where I grew up. I was adopted after I left the islands. If you ever get a chance, there’s no place like it in the world as far as I feel.
Hi, in the episode The Breaking Point, S05E02, they go to a fish market that also looks like an everyday market is attached. Does anyone have an idea where this is? I will be in Oahu in 5 weeks and would love to visit this area as not been there before. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteWould love to see this updated with seasons 3-5. This page is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteWould also love to see it done for older Hawaii based shows like Hawaii 5-0 and another older one I loved called Raven that I can’t find any of the filming locations for.
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