Hawaii Without A TV Production For The First Time In 20 Years

Which is your favorite TV show filmed in Hawaii? J.J. Abrams' Lost? Is it the original or remakes of Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O? Rescue Hi-Surf? NCSI Hawaii?

A once-bustling hub of Hawaiian TV production now stands eerily still. Jason Antoon, known for playing Ernie on NCIS: Hawaii, recently posted a drive-by video of the near-abandoned Hawaii Film Studio in Honolulu. The footage showed overgrown weeds and empty sets on the iconic 7.5-acre lot that once hosted major series like Lost, Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-0, and movies like Fifty First Dates.

For the first time in over two decades, no TV series is currently filming in Hawaii. The recent cancellation of Fox’s Rescue HI-Surf, after CBS axed Magnum P.I. and NCIS: Hawaii, has left hundreds of local film professionals without consistent work. According to IATSE Local 665 rep Irish Barber, “There’s been a drought of work since those cancellations.” Alarmingly, 90% of the Rescue HI-Surf crew were Hawaii-based.

Despite generating $320 million for the state economy in 2024, Hawaii’s current tax incentives—22% for Oʻahu, 27% for neighboring islands—are no longer competitive compared to other regions offering 30% or more. Even Apple TV+’s Chief of War starring Jason Momoa, chose to finish filming in New Zealand.

Worse yet, Hawaii Governor Josh Green is now pushing back against a bill that would phase out tax credits after five years. His office warned that such a move could “disincentivize future investors” across multiple industries, including film.

As Hollywood eyes more cost-effective locations, Hawaii risks losing its once-vibrant screen legacy.

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Source: TV Line

Photo Credit: AI