Producers at
Seven Arts Productions approached John D. MacDonald to see if he had any ideas for a TV series. He did a treatment for a show set in the Bahamas called
Bimini Gal, which he wrote for Robert Mitchum. Eventually this became
Kona Coast. Richard Boone had moved to Hawaii and was keen to help establish film production in the state. He did a deal with CBS who agreed to put up most of the budget for
Kona Coast. It was produced by Boone's Pioneer Productions and was distributed by Seven Arts. CBS were hoping it would lead to a TV series, but the film was shot as a theatrical feature rather than a pilot. In May 1967, Boone said "I really don't want to do another series but I've been battling for three years to get production going in Hawaii and if a series will do it, I'll go." CBS produced $750,000 of the $900,000 budget. Boone said "my role in the movie - and, hopefully, in a series - is so much like me that it's ridiculous. The guy's got a large fishing boat - I own a 42 footer - he'll do anything for a price, he's easy going and loves kids, intelligent enough to deal sympathetically with all the varied groups in the islands, but a hard guy when he's turned on." It was the first movie to use
Cinemobile technology, which enabled the film to be shot in five weeks instead of six. In March 1968, Boone announced Pioneer Productions would make
The Guns of Mauna Kea, a second film in Hawaii. ==References==