Hal Lewis, who played announcer Papa Ako, was a radio personality on KSSK radio in Hawaii for many years.He was also a recording artist.
The title refers to Kamehameha I or Kamehameha the Great, who conquered the Hawaiian Islands in the 18th/19th centuries and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing friendships with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence. He is still honored over all of the rulers and historical figures in Hawaiian history.
When Kono finds the cat in Bishop Museum, he mentions Queen Emma. She was the Queen Consort of King Kamehameha IV, who reigned from 1856 to 1863.
Dano states that Arnold Potters family is in construction in Denver. The actor, Brandon de Wilde was killed in Denver nearly 3 years later in a car wreck.
"Sam", one of the stunt cats used in the dry run of the heist, is of a somewhat rare breed known as Odd-Eyed British (White) Shorthair.