Gov. Josh Green signed new legislation Monday that will increase tax credits for productions with at least 80% local hires.
SB 2580 amends the motion picture, digital media and film production tax credit, allowing a 5% increase to current tax credit rates for productions that film on Oʻahu and Neighbor Islands — if at least 80% of the hires are local. The new legislation will bring the tax credit rates up to 27% on Oʻahu, and 32% on Neighbor Islands.
“Why are we doing this?” Green said during a press conference. “We're expanding our capacity to have film and art in Hawaiʻi because it showcases Hawaiʻi in a magnificent way — with actors that can bring to life stories, with writers who can tell stories that people haven’t heard before.”
It also gives youth another career opportunity, he explained.
Under the bill, total tax credits for a single movie or television series would cap at $20 million — up from the current $17 million — for productions with at least $60 million in qualified production costs. The credits also apply to series that go straight to streaming platforms.
Qualified production costs include: location scouting; set construction and operations; the purchase or rental of wardrobe items, props, accessories, transportation and food; wages and salaries for cast, crew and musicians; airfare to and from Hawaiʻi; insurance; and more.
The legislation was supported by a number of people who showed up for the signing and were also instrumental in creating Apple TV's mini-series, "Chief of War," including producers Angie Laprete and Brian Keaulana, screenwriter Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, and actor Moses Goods.
The total tax credits for all productions in a year will increase to $60 million, up from the current $50 million cap. If the total tax credits for a year exceed the cap, they may be claimed in the following year, although this clause will sunset on Dec. 31, 2037.
The legislation also stipulates that the new tax credits apply retroactively to costs incurred by productions filmed after Dec. 31, 2025. That means the legislation could apply to movies such as “Protecting Jared,” and “Jumanji: Open World,” as well as Season 2 of “Untamed” — which were filmed during in the first half of 2026 — if these productions had at least 80% local hires.
“Anyone that is watching today, know that Hawaiʻi is a friendly place to make your magnificent television programs, your films,” Green said. “You don’t need to go to Georgia when you can do it here. You don't need to go to another beautiful tropical place when you can be just around the corner in Hawaiʻi.”
Jason Momoa, known for roles including Aquaman and Kaʻiana in “Chief of War,” shared a video message in support of the legislation.
“This is a huge win to have this tax incentive bill passed,” Momoa said. “I'm sorry that I can't be there. I’m actually shooting Minecraft 2 (also known as “A Minecraft Movie: Squared”) right now. But I'll be done in two weeks. I'm coming home, so we can celebrate, hugs and kisses. Listen, we have a lot of talent in Hawaiʻi and a lot of skilled local labor and a lot of stories to share. What we need is the opportunity to tell those stories here at home. Working on ʻChief of War’ reminded what’s possible when we invest into our own people and we trust our local voices to lead.”
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
