There is a comment that the female archaeologist is far more knowledgeable than Michener. This is a reference to historical novelist James A. Michener, whose books were based on extensive research conducted by Michener's assistants. His novels were so well researched that they often began in prehistoric times and, following the family lines of fictional characters, brought the reader through centuries of history. While a number of his novels were adapted for film, one of his most famous novels spawned not one, but two movies: Hawaii (1966) and The Hawaiians (1970). Michener is also known for his short story collection, "Tales of the South Pacific", which are based on his experiences in the Navy during World War II. This book formed the basis of the wildly successful Broadway musical and film, South Pacific (1958).
Much of this episode was filmed aboard the s.s. Constitution, an American built ship which was allowed by law to sail the Hawaiian islands route because she is American flagged, foreign flagged vessels must visit a foreign port between American port visits. The ship was also featured in a few "I Love Lucy" episodes as well as the movie "An Affair to Remember". In 1997, the s.s. Constitution sank while being towed to the shipbreakers.
Shelley Smith's (Peggy Armbruster) first appearance in the series.
When Maganum, TC, and Higgins find Denny Prine (Paul Sand) in the lifeboat, Magnum makes reference to the classic film "The Maltese Falcon" (1941). Elisha Cook Jr., who has a re-occurring role as "Icepick" in the series, played Wilmer Cook in the film.