For the first time in over two decades, the sun has set on Hawaii’s once-thriving television and film industry, as the state currently hosts zero ongoing TV productions. Once a beacon for high-profile series and blockbuster films, the iconic Hawaii Film Studio in Honolulu now stands eerily quiet — a sobering symbol of the island’s entertainment drought.
This sudden and unprecedented silence follows the cancellation of several high-profile productions, including NCIS: Hawai‘i, Magnum P.I., and most recently, Fox’s Rescue HI-Surf, which was filmed on Oahu’s North Shore. The studio — nestled at the base of Diamond Head crater and spanning 7.5 acres — was once a bustling hub, home to some of the most recognizable shows of the 21st century, from Lost and Hawaii Five-0 to Last Resort and Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
Actor Jason Antoon, who portrayed Ernie on NCIS: Hawai‘i for three seasons, recently posted a somber video of the now-vacant Hawaii Film Studio, capturing the stillness that has replaced decades of creative energy. His footage, shared across social platforms, was a poignant reminder of what the industry — and Hawaii itself — has lost.
In 2024 alone, film and television productions contributed more than $320 million to Hawaii’s economy. That’s now at risk, not just due to a drop in production, but because of deeper issues rooted in competitiveness and policy.
Irish Barber, a representative of IATSE Local 665 — the union that supports Hawaii’s behind-the-scenes talent — voiced growing concerns in a statement to Hawaii News Now:
“We’ve had such a doldrum of no work pretty much since Magnum canceled, Doogie canceled, NCIS: Hawai‘i canceled…”
Barber emphasized that while a few shows might film sporadic episodes in Hawaii, they simply don’t create the volume of steady employment needed to sustain the local crew base. For Rescue HI-Surf, 90% of the production team was composed of Hawaii residents — skilled professionals now left without work.
So what’s going wrong?
A big part of the issue is the uncompetitive nature of Hawaii’s tax incentives for film and TV productions. Currently, productions receive a 22% tax credit on Oʻahu, and 27% on neighboring islands — a rate that falls short of the 30% or higher incentives offered by other U.S. states and international locations like New Zealand.
That gap has real consequences. Apple TV+’s upcoming epic Chief of War, starring Jason Momoa as Native Hawaiian warrior Kaʻiana, opted to complete filming in New Zealand rather than remain in its cultural birthplace of Hawaii.
Even more alarming, Hawaii’s existing film incentives are facing an uncertain future.
Governor Josh Green recently announced his intention to veto a bill that would phase out the current tax credit structure over the next several years — a move that has sparked concern across multiple sectors, not just in entertainment.
“This bill would have a significant long-term impact on income tax credits across a variety of industries, including film and television, research, and renewable energy,” stated Green’s office. “It would disincentivize future investors from doing business in Hawai‘i.”
The ripple effects of such a policy could be devastating. Not only would it undercut Hawaii’s already shrinking appeal to producers, but it could also impact jobs, tourism marketing, and the state’s cultural visibility on a global stage.
The larger fear is that this moment signals not just a pause, but a downward spiral for Hawaii's status as a media powerhouse. With other regions offering more aggressive financial incentives and logistical support, producers are increasingly looking elsewhere to film their stories — even when those stories are Hawaiian by nature.
And while the sound stages of the Hawaii Film Studio now sit quiet, the voices of crew members, actors, and local businesses impacted by this shift are growing louder. Many are calling for urgent policy reform and renewed investment in creative infrastructure to restore Hawaii’s place in the entertainment spotlight.
Until then, the studio remains a shell of its former self — a haunting reminder of a golden age that, for now, appears to be over.
