June 23, 2006 - Hawai`i Film Industry

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Hawai`i has long been a favorite location for film and television.   From “South Pacific” and “Jurassic Park,” to “Hawaii 5-0,” “Magnum P.I.,” and “Lost,” our Islands have captivated audiences for decades.

To help Hawai`i’s film industry remain competitive, I recently signed a law to increase economic incentives for new film production in Hawai`i.

Starting July 1, the state will offer a 15 percent refundable tax credit for production on O`ahu and 20 percent on the neighbor islands.  This is a significant increase from the current 4 percent.

Last year, film projects spent $100 million in the state, creating hundreds of jobs and generating $160 million in secondary spending, and invaluable exposure.

We have also completed a $7.3 million renovation of the Hawai`i Film Studio at Diamond Head.

These initiatives represent Hawai`i’s strong commitment to building a viable film industry, and will help keep our economic momentum moving forward.

Mahalo.  This is Governor Linda Lingle.