the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987
Governor Linda Lingle

State's film industry incentives include renovated film studio

Hawaii film commissioner Donne Dawson markets Hawaii as one of the top filming destinations in the world

by MICHELE VAN HESSEN
Sun Correspondent
*Archived August 2006 article

The Hawaii Film Studio built on 7-1/2 acres of state land at 18th Avenue and Diamond Head Road was erected in the mid-1970s by CBS for Hawaii Five-0. The classic television series continually serves as an advertisement for the islands. The musical score is known worldwide. It is one of the longest continuous-running television police series in U.S. television history. Why? Jack Lord, James MacArthur and stellar guest actors appear in the episodes. Great acting, good direction, good scripts and a picture-perfect location all contributed to the success of the show. The series airs locally on KWHE from 6 to 7PM. Hume Cronyn, Khigh Diegh, Helen Hayes, Herbert Lom, Ricardo Montalban, Leslie Nielsen and John Ritter play characters alongside such local actors as Moe Keale, Kam Fong and Zulu. Leonard Freeman, the series executive producer also created The Untouchables. As yet, the DVD from Paramount/Viacom has not been released. Online fan clubs include: www.hawaiifive0.org.

A $7.3 million renovation of the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head that began last year was completed and blessed last month. Governor Linda Lingle, in a lovely St. John yellow pants suit, recognized in her address that for the state to be competitive as a location for filming, a new "shop structure" as well as new production offices would contribute to attracting revenue. Governor Lingle, Republican House Representative Barbara Marumoto of the 19th District, along with industry supporters and government officials celebrated new possibilities with a blessing, food and music.

Hawaii film commissioner Donne Dawson markets Hawaii as one of the top filming destinations in the world. The Passage of Act 88 revamps the state's entertainment industry tax incentives, which gives the state a competitive edge. The ABC-TV series Lost, which has been leasing the sound stage, "now will continue to use the entire facility," Dawson said. The movie industry is one of the most exciting and informative businesses in the world. It is a business where the revenue of a single feature film, such as Jurassic Park, filmed on Kauai and on Oahu at Kualoa Ranch, can exceed $1 billion. The motion picture and television industries contributed over $16 billion to the State of California's economy last year. Imagine what an established industry like that could do for the Hawaiian islands' economy.