Governor Releases $3.46 Million for Hawaiʻi Film Studio

Recent photo of the entrance/gate area of the studio facility. Photo courtesy Studio Manager Tammy Hasegawa.

By Maui Now Staff

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $3.46 million in capital improvement project funds for the Hawaiʻi Film Studio.

“These CIP funds will protect our state’s investment in the Hawaiʻi Film Studio, a key asset of our local creative economy,” Abercrombiesaid in a press release.

The Governor noted that this year is the 100th anniversary of film production in Hawaiʻi.

“As international competition grows,” the governor said, “it is particularly important that we support the Hawaiʻi Film Office and its partner county film offices on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island in their collaborative efforts to preserve the State of Hawaiʻi as a premier motion picture and television location.”

Earlier this year, the governor signed legislation extending film tax incentives designed to further strengthen the industry.  The new funding release will go towards a new production and multipurpose building to support film operations.

“The Hawaiʻi Film Studio is the only film facility of its kind in the state and is a critically important piece of Hawaiʻi’s production industry,” Hawaiʻi Film Commissioner Donne Dawson said. “This CIP will go a long way to help us achieve the next phase of much-needed improvements for this aging facility.”