The Honolulu City Council proposed a bill to attract film companies (Bill 59, proposed by City Councilman Ogi Tulba). The goal is to revitalize the economy by attracting the film industry.<\/p>\n
Attracting a production company will soon lead to jobs for workers in Hawaii’s media-related industries and college graduates.<\/p>\n
Between 2017 and 2022, Hawaii’s film industry generated approximately $400 million annually and more than 4,200 jobs, Star-Advertiser reported.<\/p>\n
The Blangeard administration has recommended several amendments to Bill 59 to express its goal of \u2018attracting film production more clearly.’<\/p>\n
For example, it involves installing a film production facility on a site of at least 10 acres over a period of five years, and the system for issuing a certificate of completion from the city’s Planning and Permitting Department.<\/p>\n
It also includes establishing a 20-year building value exemption for production companies if they promote the economic expansion of the film and digital media industries on Oahu.<\/p>\n
Andrew Kawano, director of the city’s Office of Budget and Finance, expressed hope that Proposition 59 would bring meaningful development to film studios on Oahu.<\/p>\n
He then pointed out that Oahu’s current film studios are underdeveloped compared to other states or foreign countries, and raised the alarm that there is a risk that the film industry itself will disappear if appropriate measures are not taken.<\/p>\n
Director Kawano added that even during the 20-year property tax exemption period, land tax will continue to be levied.<\/p>\n
Zorya Skinner, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), said that based on the results of a 2016 survey, a study was completed to verify that Hawaii was a necessary location for film production.<\/p>\n
He went on to explain that, despite this, it was difficult to realize due to the high cost and advised that government-level measures such as Bill 59 would be needed to ease the financial burden on film companies.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Director Skinner informed that the University of Hawaii has officially proposed the development of a private film production facility to the University of West Oahu.<\/p>\n
According to the university’s website, the site is surrounded by Farrington Highway, Kual Kai Parkway, UH West Oahu, and Hawaii Tokai International University and is approximately 34 acres in size.<\/p>\n
State University recruited developers until October 13th and plans to announce the successful bidder on December 15th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"