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Hawaii Film Industry Gears Up With New Projects and Tax-Credit Boost
Hawaii’s film and television sector is poised for a fresh surge as the state rolls out expanded tax incentives and attracts a roster of high‑profile productions. The announcement comes after a lull that began when Fox cancelled the series Rescue HI Surf last year.
The headline‑grabber is Disney’s live‑action adaptation of Moana. Starring Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, the film had a private screening on Monday, roughly three weeks before its theatrical release on July 10, 2026. Production spanned Honolulu and Maui from July to November 2024.
Netflix’s Untamed also wrapped filming in the islands, marking the first Canadian series to shoot in Hawaii. The show is slated for a streaming release later this year.
Other announced projects include a live‑action sequel to Lilo & Stitch, scheduled for 2028, and a reported $200‑million 20th Century production directed by Martin Scorsese. The Scorsese film—a Hawaiian mobster drama—would star Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt.
The industry’s revival hinges on legislative action. Senate Bill 2580, recently passed by the state legislature, proposes a 5‑percent lift to the film tax credit for productions that employ at least 80 percent local workers. The bill would raise the credit from the current 22 percent to 27 percent for qualifying projects. The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) notes that the program offers a base credit of 22 percent of qualified expenditures, with an uplift to 27 percent for productions that meet specific criteria. The credit is refundable, requires a minimum spend of $100,000, and is capped at $50 million in total credit per year.
The governor’s office said it would "carefully review" Senate Bill 2580 and other related legislation, but no decision has yet been announced.
Industry voices have welcomed the measure. Chief of War actor Moses Goods, who appears in Moana, thanked lawmakers for the new incentives and noted that the bill would help the state’s film business recover from the downturn caused by the cancellation of Rescue HI Surf. Goods said the bill "will help the industry swing back again".
Former state film commissioner Donne Dawson, who retired on May 1 after 25 years in the role, praised legislators for passing the bill. He said a strong film commissioner is essential for a healthy industry and that the state is in talks with potential successors. The position remains vacant.
The combination of new productions and expanded tax incentives signals a concerted effort by Hawaii to attract high‑budget projects and support local employment. The state’s film tax‑credit program has historically been a key factor in drawing productions to the islands, and the proposed increase is expected to make Hawaii more competitive with other U.S. states.
The industry’s rebound is still in its early stages. While the new projects are announced, production schedules, release dates and final budgets remain subject to change. The state’s film commissioner position is yet to be filled, and the governor’s review of Senate Bill 2580 is pending. The next few months will determine how quickly the incentives translate into on‑screen content and local job creation.
In summary, Hawaii is poised to welcome several major film and television projects while the state works to strengthen its tax‑credit framework. The outcome of Senate Bill 2580 and the appointment of a new film commissioner will be key indicators of the industry’s trajectory in the coming years.
The headline‑grabber is Disney’s live‑action adaptation of Moana. Starring Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, the film had a private screening on Monday, roughly three weeks before its theatrical release on July 10, 2026. Production spanned Honolulu and Maui from July to November 2024.
Netflix’s Untamed also wrapped filming in the islands, marking the first Canadian series to shoot in Hawaii. The show is slated for a streaming release later this year.
Other announced projects include a live‑action sequel to Lilo & Stitch, scheduled for 2028, and a reported $200‑million 20th Century production directed by Martin Scorsese. The Scorsese film—a Hawaiian mobster drama—would star Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt.
The industry’s revival hinges on legislative action. Senate Bill 2580, recently passed by the state legislature, proposes a 5‑percent lift to the film tax credit for productions that employ at least 80 percent local workers. The bill would raise the credit from the current 22 percent to 27 percent for qualifying projects. The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) notes that the program offers a base credit of 22 percent of qualified expenditures, with an uplift to 27 percent for productions that meet specific criteria. The credit is refundable, requires a minimum spend of $100,000, and is capped at $50 million in total credit per year.
The governor’s office said it would "carefully review" Senate Bill 2580 and other related legislation, but no decision has yet been announced.
Industry voices have welcomed the measure. Chief of War actor Moses Goods, who appears in Moana, thanked lawmakers for the new incentives and noted that the bill would help the state’s film business recover from the downturn caused by the cancellation of Rescue HI Surf. Goods said the bill "will help the industry swing back again".
Former state film commissioner Donne Dawson, who retired on May 1 after 25 years in the role, praised legislators for passing the bill. He said a strong film commissioner is essential for a healthy industry and that the state is in talks with potential successors. The position remains vacant.
The combination of new productions and expanded tax incentives signals a concerted effort by Hawaii to attract high‑budget projects and support local employment. The state’s film tax‑credit program has historically been a key factor in drawing productions to the islands, and the proposed increase is expected to make Hawaii more competitive with other U.S. states.
The industry’s rebound is still in its early stages. While the new projects are announced, production schedules, release dates and final budgets remain subject to change. The state’s film commissioner position is yet to be filled, and the governor’s review of Senate Bill 2580 is pending. The next few months will determine how quickly the incentives translate into on‑screen content and local job creation.
In summary, Hawaii is poised to welcome several major film and television projects while the state works to strengthen its tax‑credit framework. The outcome of Senate Bill 2580 and the appointment of a new film commissioner will be key indicators of the industry’s trajectory in the coming years.
