URGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO NOT CHARGE THE STATE RENT FOR THE USE OF THE KALAELOA FILM STUDIO LAND AND FACILITIES AND ENTER INTO A LONG-TERM LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE FOR SUCH USE.

HR28

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

28

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO NOT CHARGE THE STATE
RENT FOR THE USE OF THE KALAELOA FILM STUDIO LAND AND FACILITIES AND ENTER INTO
A LONG-TERM LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE FOR SUCH USE
.

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii's
film and television industry has experienced substantial growth over the past
two decades, driven in large part by state tax incentives that have attracted a
steady stream of feature films, television series, and commercial productions
to the State; and

����
WHEREAS, this
increase in production activity has not only elevated Hawaii's global
visibility but also become a catalyst for the development of a highly skilled
local workforce and a thriving ecosystem of service and equipment vendors; and

����
WHEREAS, the
film and television industry provides a significant economic lift for the
State, as production companies spend millions of dollars on hiring local crew
members and purchasing materials locally; and

����
WHEREAS, central
to this success is the work of the Hawaii Film Office, housed within the
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, which plays a key
role in film permitting, tax incentive administration, and oversight of the
State's studio assets; and

����
WHEREAS, despite
the long and successful history of film and television production in the State,
all film and television productions filmed in Hawaii wrapped in 2025 and no new
productions have taken their place; and

����
WHEREAS, the
high cost of film and television production in Hawaii has significantly
contributed to the decline of the State's film and television industry; and

����
WHEREAS, to
ensure that Hawaii remains a competitive and attractive location for film and
television productions in the rapidly evolving film and television industry,
the State must develop a long-term strategic plan for its growth, modernization,
and economic positioning; and

����
WHEREAS, in
2021, the State opened the second of its managed sound stages�the Kalaeloa Film
Studio, also known as the Kalaeloa Navy Stages, on the former Naval Air Station
Barbers Point, as a satellite of the Hawaii Film Studio to provide facilities
for up to two additional film productions on the island of Oahu; and

����
WHEREAS, neither
of these two sound stages meets the scale that most productions require, so
many productions come to Hawaii for exterior shots but shoot indoor scenes on
larger, soundproof stages outside of Hawaii; and

����
WHEREAS, ensuring
the stability and viability of the State's film studios is critical to
maintaining and improving the State's film industry; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that this body urges the United
States Navy to not charge the State rent for the use of the Kalaeloa Film
Studio land and facilities and enter into a long- term lease agreement with the
State for the use of the Kalaeloa Film Studio land and facilities; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is
urged to:

����
(1)
�
Develop a three-year business plan and a
strategic vision for the Kalaeloa Film Studio;

����
(2)
�
Consider the Kalaeloa Film Studio's long-term
development and how the studio aligns with the State's broader film and
television industry goals; and

����
(3)
�
Submit its three-year business plan and
strategic vision for the Kalaeloa Film Studio, including any proposed
legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Commander of the Navy Region, Hawaii; Director of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism; and Executive Director of the Hawaii Community
Development Authority.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Kalaeloa Film Studio; Economic Growth; US Navy; DBEDT