Is Kamekona’s Shrimp Truck From Hawaii Five-0 Real?

As a fan of the long-running TV show Hawaii Five-0, I’m often asked if Kamekona’s famous shrimp truck featured on the show actually exists in real life After all, the scenes of McGarrett, Danno, and the rest of the Five-0 team visiting Kamekona’s truck to grab juicy, garlic-butter drizzled shrimp plates sure do look enticing.

So does this iconic Hawaiian food truck really exist? Let’s investigate the origins of Kamekona’s shrimp truck and whether you can actually get the same mouthwatering plates seen on the show when visiting Oahu

The History of Kamekona on Hawaii Five-0

On Hawaii Five-0, Kamekona Tupuola is played by Taylor Wily, a native Hawaiian actor. He first appeared during Season 1 as a confidential informant helping McGarrett with various cases.

The character of Kamekona is an ex-convict trying to live a lawful life after doing time. He runs the King Kamehameha Club a gathering place for native Hawaiians that serves food, drinks and entertainment.

Later on in Season 3, McGarrett helps Kamekona fulfill his dream of buying a food truck. His shrimp truck, called “Kamekona’s Shrimp Truck,” becomes a staple on the show and is frequented by the Hawaii Five-0 team. They visit for casual meals or to discuss details of ongoing cases with Kamekona.

So while Kamekona provides helpful intel as a confidential informant, he also becomes a trusted friend. His shrimp truck serves as a reliable, comfortable spot for the team to unwind, grab a bite, and get Kamekona’s help when needed.

Is Kamekona’s Truck a Real Oahu Food Truck?

Kamekona’s shrimp truck and the large plump shrimp you see being prepared on the show are a product of excellent TV magic, not reality.

Kamekona’s shrimp truck itself is fictional – the truck you see on Hawaii Five-0 does not actually exist as a food establishment in Oahu.

The scenes are shot on a studio backlot, with prop trucks standing in for the real thing. Those jumbo shrimp sizzling away on the grill are created by the show’s food stylists, not a real Oahu chef.

So while you can visit many of the beautiful Oahu beaches and landmarks seen on Hawaii Five-0, Kamekona’s truck is not a real-world location you can experience.

Other Oahu Shrimp Trucks to Try

Though Kamekona’s food truck isn’t real, Oahu does have a thriving food truck scene with some fantastic options for shrimp plates and Hawaiian staples like garlic shrimp, coconut shrimp, and more:

• Big T’s Shrimp Truck – Located on Mamalahoa Highway, Big T’s serves up plates of shrimp done 6 different ways along with sides like mac salad and rice.

• Red Shrimp Food Truck – You can find this truck near Rainbow Drive-In in Kapahulu. They are known for tasty garlic shrimp and unique Hawaiian-Mexican fusion dishes.

• Macky’s Shrimp Truck – Situated in Sunset Beach on the North Shore, Macky’s is a popular stop for shrimp, poke bowls, and shave ice.

• Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck – Giovanni’s has two locations, one in Haleiwa and another on Waialua. Their specialty is garlic butter shrimp cooked fresh to order.

• Fia Fia Shrimp – Located in the Salt at Our Kaka’ako complex, Fia Fia has an extensive menu including multiple types of shrimp plates.

While not exact replicas of Kamekona’s fictional truck, these popular Oahu shrimp trucks can provide mouthwatering, satisfaction shrimp meals. Just don’t expect to see McGarrett or Danno waiting in line with you!

Other Oahu Spots for Hawaii Five-0 Fans

If you’re visiting Oahu and want to experience some familiar Hawaii Five-0 touchstones, there are a few actual shooting locations you can visit:

• Kuhio Beach Huts – The beach huts in Waikiki served as McGarrett’s home on the show.

• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific – The cemetery was featured in several episodes over the course of the series.

• La Mariana Sailing Club – Though not the real-life inspiration for Kamekona’s bar, this classic tiki bar and restaurant was shown on Hawaii Five-0 as a business co-owned by Kamekona.

While not a real place, Kamekona’s shrimp truck anchored many memorable scenes through Hawaii Five-0’s ten seasons. Visiting Oahu offers a chance to immerse yourself in the island atmosphere captured in the show. And be sure to sample shrimp from one of Oahu’s famous food trucks – just don’t expect to see Kamekona behind the grill!