IT appears that Hawaii's filming drought suddenly is over with a vengeance. As for those filmmakers
-- let’s book ’emHollywood movie and television producer types have been staying away from Hawaii in droves for a number of good reasons. Aside from the well-known high cost of filming in Hawaii, there's the little matter of the unsolved murder of a film equipment rental worker on the Honolulu docks in 1994. There's also the island's claim to film history as having been the site of the most expensive movie ever made, "Waterworld." During that production, everything from computers to potted plants seemed to have walked off the lots, never to be seen again.
Despite that, suddenly we have a number of new shows and movies ready to launch. The biggest feather in Hawaii's cap is a plan to dust off "Hawaii Five-0," first with a pilot and hopefully with a regular series. The long-running "Hawaii Five-0" probably did more for tourism than all of the millions of dollars spent during the same period by the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau. Over the years, there have been more bogus "Hawaii Five-0" production sightings than aliens at Area 51. Plans for "Hawaii Five-0" movies rise like swamp gas every few years, only to disappear into the cosmic ether.
But there also are plans for four movies and another television series called "SoulMates."
This could be great news for local actors and writers if one, the productions don't die on the vine and two, if producers use some local talent. Probably one of the classiest yet short-lived series, "The Byrds of Paradise," used a lot of local talent -- from actors to experts in pidginonics -- and it showed. It was probably the most authentic Hawaii-based show filmed here in quite a while. In contrast, there was a dorky cliche-riddled series that allegedly took place on the North Shore but was written and filmed entirely in Los Angeles. I can't even remember the name of that turkey.
During the drought, I, like a lot of local writers, attempted to peddle scripts for Hawaii-based shows with no success. But a rising tide lifts all ships and to suddenly have several productions starting here could be like a tsunami.
(Then again, just about every other gas station attendant in Los Angeles has a screenplay in his knapsack and their proximity to Hollywood hasn't made their lives any rosier.)
The main thing is that Hawaii should do everything it can to help these shows become a success. Aside from the money pumped into the economy directly from the productions, the free publicity is priceless. If local film industry officials, the mayor and everyone else in any position of power doesn't make sure that Honolulu's new convention center figures prominently in most of these productions, they should be taken out and whipped.
They should also make sure that the producers feel welcome in Hawaii and that their experiences here are something to call home about. Because, like it or not, they will call home. It would be nice if they were able to say how helpful everyone is here, that their productions are relatively homicide-free and that all their equipment isn't being carried away at night by menehunes. With places like South Carolina, Oregon and Mexico bending over backward to attract filmmakers, Hawaii needs to capitalize on this chance. Danno, don't let these guys out of your sight.
OK. All you wiseacres who have been waiting to give me a piece of your mind will get your chance on Friday. We're talking Honolulu Lite On Radio. Can we talk?
I'll be filling in for Rick Hamada from 7 to 9 a.m. at KHVH radio (830 on the dial). So if you've got something on your mind, preferably of the not-so-serious nature, call in and be part of radio history -- one way or another.
