( CNN ) -- Jennifer Lawrence might be the celebrity muscle of the `` Hunger Games '' sequel `` Catching Fire , '' but viewers will soon find Oahu , Hawaii , to be the superstar of the film . With the next `` Hunger Games '' movie opening today amid a sea of buzz , fans of Suzanne Collins ' trilogy are lining up to see Katniss and Peeta battle it out against other victors in the Quarter Quell , the 75th Hunger Games competition . But they may also come away wanting to take a trip to the Aloha State . Although much of the preliminary filming of `` Catching Fire '' took place on the U.S. mainland , the cast and crew spent five weeks in the dense jungles and pristine beaches of the North Shore of Oahu , enjoying the sun , sand and aloha of the 50th state . Now , travelers heading to Hawaii can retrace the stars ' footprints along the jungles and beaches that played host to Panem 's annual battle-to-the-death match in `` Catching Fire . '' North Shore Bay as saltwater lake . Though the North Shore of Oahu might be known for its massive swells , location scouts needed a beach with clear , calm water to act as the saltwater lake in the Quell arena . Honolulu Film Commissioner Walea Constantinau recommended Kawela Bay as the perfect location for a crucial scene when the tributes appear on top of the lake , ready for battle . Kawela Bay is stunning crescent of crystal blue popular with green sea turtles and paddle boarders , a hobby cast members took up in between takes . Access this secluded and sacred beach by walking 30 minutes from Turtle Bay Resort along the coast during low tide . Running through the jungles like Katniss and Peeta . You wo n't be racing from skin-eating fog or wild monkey-like creatures when exploring the lush North Shore , but you can get swallowed by greenery while hiking through one of Hawaii 's most sacred valleys . Many of the film 's jungle scenes were filmed in remote locations in the North Shore 's Waimea Valley that are off-limits to tourists . However , you can still follow in the footsteps of Katniss and Peeta escaping the blistering fog or hearing jabberjays ( likely mynah birds ) in this natural wonderland . Those wanting to try racing through the jungles can access Waimea Valley , which is almost 40 miles from Waikiki , via the valley 's visitor center east of Haleiwa . Take a short hike through the reconstructed ancient village to spot endangered birds , archeological sites , replicas of ancient sacred structures called heiaus and the 40-foot Waimea Falls , which you can swim under . North Carolina lures 'Hunger Games ' fans . Closer to Waikiki , the Manoa Valley Trail system -- which portrayed another part of the movie 's Arena jungle -- is a series of strenuous hikes that will test your Katniss-like endurance . The most popular path , the Manoa Falls Trail , skirts through bamboo and along streams and meets up with the 150-foot Manoa Falls . Real adventurers can take a series of trailheads through the dense forest of Manoa Valley and up behind Paradise Park , a former animal performance venue , where scenes from `` Catching Fire '' and the popular television show `` Lost '' were filmed . Luxe it up like the stars . Since much of the filming took place on the North Shore , many of the cast and crew stayed at Turtle Bay Resort , a location also featured in the film `` Forgetting Sarah Marshall . '' Perched atop the edge of Kuilima Cove , the resort offers access to a lovely beach perfect for snorkeling , horseback riding , kayaking and stand up paddle boarding lessons . Cast member and Hawaii resident Woody Harrelson was known to escape to nearby beaches on his breaks from filming to brave the infamous North Shore swells . Actress Jennifer Lawrence was spotted poolside on numerous occasions . They also filmed one day at the hotel 's Bay View Beach , steps from the Ocean Villas , where many cast members and their families stayed and celebrated Thanksgiving last year . Cast and crew appreciated the onsite restaurant Ola 's and Lei Lei 's Bar & Grill . They also reportedly spent many nights at the resort 's Surfer , The Bar , run in collaboration with Surfer magazine . This is the place to be on the North Shore , with great cocktails and live music nightly . Oahu resident Jack Johnson recently popped in to play an impromptu set . Hawaii 's film legacy . Film buffs who want more than `` the Hunger Game '' s version of Hawaii can drive along the Windward Coast of Oahu to Halona Cove , a speck of beach beyond Halona Blowhole ; this is where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr had their famed beach kiss in `` From Here to Eternity . '' For an in-depth look at Oahu 's cinematic history , consider the Kualoa Ranch movie tour . Just 22 miles north of Honolulu , this peaceful 4,000-acre preserve offers guided tours of the dozens of film and TV programs shot throughout the property , including the scene in the first `` Jurassic Park '' when the ostrich-like dinosaurs were escaping the T-Rex . Travelers wanting to revisit `` Lost , '' `` Hawaii Five-0 '' and other Oahu film locations can book an off-road vehicle tour of the Windward Coast and Ka ' a'awa Valley with Kos Tours . They are rumored to be developing a `` Hunger Games '' tour , so be sure to bring your bow and arrow , and `` may the odds forever be in your favor . ''
Hike through the Waimea Valley and enter the Hunger Games ' jungle . The trail is a bit of an adventure, but it's worth it. Hang out in the Hawaii hotel to the stars , and eat and drink where they did .