Most of Alexander Payne’s 2011 film, The Descendants, was shot around the island of Oahu, Hawaii, although some filming did take place on Kauai and the Big Island.

Matt King, played by George Clooney, lives at this house, tucked away in the Nu’uanu neighborhood of Honolulu.  The house is not fully visible from the street.  You’ll need to walk down a little, unmarked road (connected with Gartley Place) that leads to a few houses, in order to get a clear view.  The Descendants house is the first on the left and the one closest to Old Pali Road.  Just across the street of Old Pali Road is the Clarence H. Cooke Residence, seen in the film “Triple Frontier.”

LOCATION: 3849 Old Pali Road, Honolulu, HI, 96817

Matt takes his daughter to the home of a classmate to apologize for insulting her.

LOCATION: 3745 Maunaloa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

The entrance to the fictional Hawaii Pacific Institute, supposedly located on the Big Island, can be found in Kuaui. It’s actually the entrance to Kealia Kai, a private beachfront housing development. This is the area seen in the film, but the camera is at the opposite end, past the entrance gate and facing toward Kuhio Hwy.

LOCATION: Makanani St / Kapoli St, Kealia, HI 96751 (GPS coordinates: 22°06’42.8″N, 159°18’03.2″W)

The dorm where Alexandra is staying is back on Oahu at Kawaiaha‘o Hall, located on the grounds of the Mid-Pacific Institute, a private school with a gated entrance and fencing surrounding the entire grounds. When we asked about entering, we were told advanced permission and an appointment is required for any photos. Kawaiaha‘o Hall is actually easily visible from Armstrong St, which is open to the public up to a gate. The angle seen in the film, however, is from the opposite side, down on a field.

LOCATION: Kawaiaha‘o Hall, Mid-Pacific Institute, 2445 Kaala St, Honolulu, HI 96822 (GPS coordinates: 21°18’17.7″N, 157°48’58.1″W)

Located just down the street from Matt King’s house is the corner where George Clooney frantically runs in his sandals over to his friends’ house, The Mitchells, after hearing of some distressing news.

LOCATION: Old Pali Road / Nu’uanu Pali Dr, Honolulu, HI, 96817

The Mitchell’s house.  The view, again, is slightly obstructed from the road, due to the many trees and plants on the property.

LOCATION: 155 Dowsett Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817

Brian Speer’s house.

LOCATION: 4328 Papu Circle, Honolulu, HI, 96816

Matt meets his cousin at Lihue Airport in Kauai.

LOCATION: Lihue Airport, 3901 Mokulele Loop, Lihue, HI 96766

Matt rides down this road as he heads to view his land.

LOCATION: Near Kealia Rd / HI-56, Kealia, HI 96751 (GPS coordinates: 22°05’55.3″N, 159°18’21.4″W)

Matt rides past the Princeville Neptune Fountain in Kauai.

LOCATION: Princeville Neptune Fountain, Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722 (GPS coordinates: 22°12’51.7″N, 159°28’14.5″W)

Late in the film, Matt and Alex go to Brian Speer’s vacation home to confront him.  It really is a vacation property in Kauai and can be seen from Waioli Beach Park, albeit by looking between the shrubs.

LOCATION: 5032 Weke Rd, Hanalei, HI 96714

Matt and his family eat at Tahiti Nui in Kauai.

LOCATION: Tahiti Nui, 5122 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714

Related articles: Citizen Ruth (1996), Election (1999), About Schmidt (2002), Sideways (2004), Nebraska (2013), Downsizing (2017)