Hawaii's film boom at risk as lawmakers push for stronger tax incentives
Hawaii's film industry is seeing a sudden boom, with three major productions now filming across the islands. Yet despite this activity, the state has struggled to keep large-scale shows from moving elsewhere. Lawmakers and industry leaders are now pushing for stronger tax incentives to secure future projects—and the jobs they bring.
Currently, no network-scale productions are set for 2025, raising concerns about lost opportunities after past successes like *Jurassic Park* and *The White Lotus* drew global attention to Hawaii's landscapes.
Three high-profile projects are now underway in Hawaii: Netflix's Untamed, Jason Momoa's Protecting Jared, and the third Jumanji film. These productions are employing hundreds of local crew, actors, and vendors while pumping money into small businesses. The industry's spending on local goods and services has long been a lifeline for Hawaii's creative economy.
But competition is fierce. Momoa's other series, *Chief of War*, shifted most of its production to New Zealand due to lower costs, taking jobs and spending with it. To prevent similar losses, lawmakers are reviewing Hawaii's film tax credit programme. Donne Dawson, the state's film commissioner, has proposed raising the incentive to 27% on Oahu and 32% on neighbouring islands. She also wants to lift the per-production cap from its current level to $23 million. Additional suggestions include an extra percentage for projects featuring indigenous or cultural content, clearer rules for streaming productions, and extending the programme until 2038. Governor Josh Green backs these changes, arguing that stronger incentives will help Hawaii compete with other filming hubs. The push comes as past productions continue to attract tourists—though no specific data links *The White Lotus* to long-term tourism growth in Wailea, iconic films like *Jurassic Park* still draw visitors decades later.
The proposed tax credit increases aim to lock in more productions and the economic benefits they bring. If approved, the changes could help Hawaii retain major projects and the hundreds of jobs tied to them. For now, the state's film industry waits to see whether lawmakers will act before more productions look elsewhere.
