HONOLULU (KHON2) — Following a devastating blow last legislative session, many lawmakers and film industry leaders are hopeful the success of Apple TV+’s ‘Chief of War’ and ‘Lilo and Stitch,’ will help bring the film industry back to the forefront.
On August 1, the world will be able to see ‘Chief of War’ on Apple TV+.
“This is everything, my soul, my DNA, this will be the most impactful and important moment of my life,” Jason Momoa told KHON2 hours before the two-hour premiere.
The mini series, filmed in Hawaiʻi and New Zealand, looks at the four island kingdoms during a time of war with one another at the same time colonizers start arriving on shore.
“It was incredible! It was such a big moment for our la hui for the film to be in ʻŌlelo Hawaii was just continuing to put Hawaii on the map,” said Sen. Samantha DeCorte (R), KoʻOlina, Waiʻanae, Mākua.
DeCorte was one of several lawmakers and officials at the premiere Friday night.
“Last year, the film industry took a real punch to the gut, the tax credits that would incentivize the film industry from filming here was cut, and people were out of work immediately, and not only did it hurt the industry, but it hurt our local families,” she added.
Governor Josh Green was also at the premiere.
“To have a superstar like Jason [Momoa], and this production here in Hawaiʻi showcasing the cultural aspects of Hawaiʻi will show people how important it is to support film and how important it is to embrace true history, so we’re excited,” he said. “We want to show more support to the tax credits, more support for our local experts and the expertise than we ever have before.”
Officials said they’ve been having meetings with Momoa trying to find ways to repair the last legislative session after the tax credit bill failed to pass.
“He has a lot of ideas on how he can help the economy from the tourism standpoint with some of the movies he’s doing, and he’s talked to us about how the incentives help with productions like ‘Chief of War’,” said Jimmy Tokioka, Hawaiʻi Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism director.
Film industry leaders say producers chase tax credits.
“It’s hard for us to compete with a country like New Zealand that has no cap, but what we have is the people and the place, people want to come to Hawaiʻi and we’re making sure we can show that we can with the resources we have to make that happen,” Tokioka added.
He said once people see a movie or show based on the islands, they are likely to decide to come visit.
With a new Finance Chair next legislative session, many said they’re hopeful some changes will be made, while show creators hope the show can start a new dialogue when it comes to tourism.
“When people come to Hawaiʻi, and what I’m hoping is there is an evolution of tourism, people come with a different respect and understanding of who Hawaiians are, what Hawaiʻi is representing, and really knowing where we are, where we’re saying certain things that we don’t want to do anymore. There’s certain things that we’re not gonna necessarily just cater to, and so if we can start a conversation of a show like this with the themes that are put in there, and begin a dialogue about the evolution of what happens when people come here. Because look, people expect Paradise for the price of a plane ticket, but if you know who we are, if you get down with us, then the truth is, we give you Paradise for free,” said show creator Paʻa Sibbett.
When asked if there will be a second season, Momoa said, “you very well know it will, this is only the unification and this thing gets massive,” he said about the series.
As for where the second season will be filmed, producers told KHON2 that it all depends on the next legislative session.
