Hawaii Eyes Increase in Filming on Islands

From the current surfer movie “Blue Crush” to the upcoming James Bond film “Die Another Day,” this year has been one of the strongest ever for Hawaii’s film and TV industry.

“We have been marketing ourselves as Hollywood’s tropical back lot,” said Donne Dawson, manager of the Hawaii Film Office.

Hawaii saw a record $136 million in movie and TV production revenue in 2000, with projects including “Jurassic Park III,” “Windtalkers” and “Pearl Harbor.” It also has a steady diet of U.S. and Japanese TV shows and commercials.

Revenue dropped to an estimated $70 million in 2001--a year that included Tim Burton’s remake of “Planet of the Apes,” filmed on the Big Island. Dawson cited threatened strikes by writers and actors, the poor economy and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as reasons for the downturn.

She said this year the industry is bouncing back and stands “a very good chance of reaching at least the $100-million mark.”

Projects shot in 2002 include “Blue Crush”; the Bruce Willis project “Tears of the Sun,” set for release next year; and the opening sequence of “Die Another Day,” filmed at a Maui surfing spot.

Upcoming shoots include an action film starring the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) entitled “Helldorado”; a thriller based on an Elmore Leonard crime novel, “The Big Bounce”; and the “Baywatch Hawaiian Wedding” reunion movie.

At least two TV pilots are to begin filming next year: a police drama, “The Break,” and a crime series titled “808,” Hawaii’s area code.

Scott Wong, business representative for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 665, said some of the increased shooting in Hawaii is the result of post-Sept. 11 fears.

“Actors and major producers are not wanting to leave the security of the United States and go to countries that may have terrorist activity, or having to fly 10 hours to a remote location,” he said. “So that helps keep them here at home.

“We have all the amenities: five-star hotels, people that speak English, a safe environment where you’re not worried about getting mugged. All those things help.”

Wong also cited tax incentives that the state offers for performing arts projects.