Why are there so few movies filmed in Hawaii about average everyday Hawaiians? (cost of, budget)

[xavierob82]

It seems that the only movies I've seen about Hawaii are crappy 50s movies with Elvis or John Wayne, WWII movies set in the Pacific, or movies that are supposed to be set in exotic island locales such as Indonesia...

But very few movies with actual Hawaiians set in everyday situations and in everyday Hawaiian locations.

I can think of TONS of movies and TV shows set in contemporary Alaska, but hardly any about life in Hawaii. Kinda strange when you consider Hawaii is perhaps our most exotic state.

Can you think of any?

[sevenofsix]

what do you expect, it's minorities and a dominate white country. Now if you really cared about hawaiians there are quite a few books out there written by them

[xavierob82]

Originally Posted by sevenofsix

what do you expect, it's minorities and a dominate white country. Now if you really cared about hawaiians there are quite a few books out there written by them

I'm not sure that's a fair critique, since there are tons of films and TV shows about life in black & hispanic inner city America.

[leilaniguy]

Here's a few: Kona coast, Hawaii, The Hawaiians, 50 First dates, Northshore, Picture Bride, Laniloa, Ma and Pa Kettle in Waikiki. Hawaii 5-0 reruns on TV here every day.

[malfunction]

It does strike me as odd that they haven't done more in Hawaii all these years. The place offers a great setting for a number of different plot devices, but why Hollywood hasn't looked at it more is beyond me. It'd be too spectacular to pass up.

[goozer]

Hollywood is first and foremost a money making business. They are also reluctant to take risks, preferring instead to rely on bankable stars and directors when they budget for a movie. Given that there are no major movie studios in Hawaii, the cost of shooting out there is expensive since everything has to be shipped via air or water. Most Hollywood types find Hawaii convenient to use for shooting location shots (e.g., Kauai as a stand in for a Costa Rican island in Juraissic Park) because of the incredible natural beauty, or for appropriate surfing films or stories based there (e.g., Big Bounce, Pearl Harbour, 50 First Dates, Saving Sarah Marshall, Snakes on a Plane...hey...that's actually a lot of movies done in the past five years). Anyway, as far as a feature film featuring real Hawaiians?!?!? While it might be nice to have one, I'm guessing the big Hollywood studios don't see any money in it. Of course, the beauty with movies is that you can shot them yourself. So if you think there is some money to be made, get a bunch of friends together, invest in a decent film camera and editing machine, and you might be the next Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez!!!

[xavierob82]

I forgot all about 50 First Dates!

But yeah these are the types of films I am talking about...ones that focus on everyday Hawaiians and Hawaii, and not merely WWII or surfing films set in Hawaii.

[beachmouse]

Hawaii Five-0 got a lot of use out of island locations and used many locals (several in multiple roles) for smaller acting roles that the studio didn't want to spend the expense of casting in LA for.

[RangerDuke08]

Duke Kahanamoku films, if you want to see an oldie. LOST TV series is filmed in Hawaii. Maybe it's a good thing, keep Hawaii exotic and not lalaland.

[bresdo]

Wasn't Fantasy Island filmed here? Da plane, Da plane...