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Filming in Hawaiʻi

Known as ‘Hollywood’s Tropical Backlot,’ whatever your budget or location requirements, we are ready to roll!

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Work with the Hawaiʻi Film Office for permits related to Department of Land and Natural Resources-managed locations such as state parks, forest reserves, oceans, and beaches.

DLNR-managed Locations
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Locations in Hawaiʻi
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Film Permits
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Wedding Photography & Film
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Incentives & Tax Credits
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Productions in Hawaiʻi
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Crew & Talent
Click the film reel icon to see the Hawaiʻi International Film Association.
Hawaiʻi International Film Association (HIFA)
Click the film reel icon to see the Hawaiʻi International Film Association.
Film Offices of the Hawaiian Islands (FOHI)

About Filming in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi is where the world’s filmmakers come for universally tropical and natural locations under secure, familiar, and professional production circumstances.

Hawaiʻi offers:

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Tax Incentives: We have some of the most generous tax credits for film, television, commercial, and digital media productions in the U.S. – a 25-27% refundable production tax credit.
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Production Expertise: Find a Hawaiʻi-based location manager or production coordinator who can provide you with invaluable local expertise in navigating through our islands.
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Crew & Talent: Hawaiʻi boasts seasoned film crews and accomplished local talent. We have several local chapters of film labor unions, including SAG, IATSE, Teamsters, IBEW, and AFM.
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Locations and Soundstages: The Hawaiʻi Film Office manages the state-owned Hawaiʻi Film Studio complex which houses a 16,500 s.f. soundstage, production offices, storage facilities, and a large inventory of props. To get started at this or other locations, reach out to a local fixer or location scout and contact one of our county film commissioners for guidance on your shoot.

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A One-Stop Shop for Film Permits: Permits are required for all filming and photography activity on state-administered locations. The State of Hawaiʻi Film Office serves as a one-stop shop for state film permits, relieving the filmmaker of having to hunt down individual state agencies for permission to shoot.

Climatic Zones in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi is home to 11 of the world’s 13 climatic zones. Filmmakers can find the diverse looks of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Pacifica.

Nods to Hawaiʻi State

Not only is Hawaiʻi the 50th State, but we have also played a significant role in film and television productions such as 50 First Dates and Hawaiʻi 5-0.

Maximum Refundable Tax Credit

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Tax credits are available based on a production company’s qualified Hawaiʻi expenditures equaling 22% to 27% depending on the Island expenses were incurred.

Filming Resources

Guidelines for Filming in Sensitive Locations

When choosing a location, it is easy to get caught up in the beauty of the place or how perfectly it fits within the script.

However, Hawaiʻi is also host to sensitive locations based on cultural significance, proximity of endangered species, and adjacency to communities who have concerns about using the area for filming. These and other areas may require a special process when being requested for filming.

We ask that you consider yourself an honored guest in our home. The Hawaiʻi Film Office are happy to assist productions in determining what areas may be sensitive. More information on specific resources location requests from the Hawaiʻi Film Office can help make your production a success.

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The Hawaiʻi Film Office has proudly supported Hawaiʻi’s century old film industry for more than 4 decades. Learn more about how we can help make your next project a success here in Hawaiʻi >