"LOST" on Location

SPOILER ALERT: Times are good for local "LOST" fans, particularly with the full-day "Celebration of 'LOST'" at the Hawaii International Film Festival on Saturday. Of course, production didn't stop, and I was also able to check out a few location shoots over the past week. Not surprisingly, the crew continued to roam the island, and the most recent site where "LOST" has landed is among the most breathtaking.

While most "LOST" fans were geeking out at the film festival, the production crew was hard at work over the weekend building a new set high above the rocky Ka Iwi coastline out at Makapuu Point. Builders erected two familiar but short temple-like walls, one with a door, and positioned a truck load of trees and bushes to conceal any signs of civilization.

The set was positioned at the edge of a cliff located about halfway up the scenic "lighthouse trail." And indeed, given how small and square the structure was, and where it's positioned above a rocky shoreline, I can only guess that we're looking at what is merely the base of a lighthouse, perhaps yet another island station or landmark. Visual effects wizards would have to create the rest of the picture, the same way they created the rest of the statue of Tawaret.

"LOST" has used many beautiful island locations, but the Ka Iwi coastline (which previously hosted the "fake Others village" and Hurley's suicidal imaginary friend "Dave") is among my favorites. I was able to hike up to the set (and up a nearby cliffside) on Sunday to take some photos, but trust me, they don't do that gorgeous vista justice. Visiting fan K.M. also graciously allowed me to publish additional photos taken during the afternoon "golden hour."

Today, visiting fan Nana stumbled across the crew at Sunset Beach nearby, and said the actors on the Makapuu set included Matthew Fox (Jack) and Jorge Garcia (Hurley)... and that they were waiting for the arrival of "Jacob."

More photos from Makapuu here.

On Friday, "LOST" was hard to miss, taking over the front lawn of Central Intermediate School near downtown Honolulu, across the street from St. Andrew's Priory. Most of the shooting took place inside the school's historic auditorium, the windows blacked out to set the stage for an evening concert. Walkie talkie chatter revealed a piano as a main set piece, with students, parents, and judges moving in and out of frame.

But out front, the crew hung banners for "Celebrate Spring Youth Concert Series" at "Williams Conservatory." As the sun set, they scattered park benches and bike racks in front of the building, and parked Jack's distinctive brown Ford Bronco among some other cars. With the elegant pillared facade of Central Intermediate School lit up against the night sky, it'll no doubt be an iconic scene of Season 6 for local fans.

Matthew Fox (Jack) was the star of the scenes, inside and out. Even "LOST" showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, who were in town for HIFF, were on the set. But also spotted, a new face that would be familiar to fans of Japanese movies: Hiroyuki Sanada, who, we recently learned, was cast as "Dogen," a new character that was created with him in mind.

Now, "Dogen" was believed to be one of the "new Others" we'd be introduced to on the island, so seeing the character with Jack in California could make your mind spin.

More photos from Central Intermediate School here.

And finally, the day before, "LOST" was in Manoa Valley. They set up several trailers along Woodlawn Drive behind Manoa Marketplace, and the catering tent was set up on the lawn of the Institute for Astronomy (a staffer of which gave me the heads up). The main set was a stately looking two-story home along Malama Pl., a stone's throw from the back lots of the University of Hawaii's flagship Manoa campus.

Parked nearby was, again, Jack's Ford Bronco, and crew chatter revealed that the scene would involve "Margo," likely Jack's estranged mother.

More photos from Manoa here.

With Matthew Fox spotted at three location shoots in a row, it looks like Episode 5 of Season 6 will focus on Jack. This would continue mimicking the character-centric order of Season 1, as EW's Michael Ausiello recently observed.

Thanks to K.M., D.H., Nana, and Vicki for the tips!

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