Permits
The Hawai‘i Island Film Office (HIFO) is available to help you navigate the permitting process and set your production up for success! When bringing your production to Hawai‘i Island, there are four permitting categories to be aware of depending on which location you are using:
• County
• State
• Federal
• Private
HAWAI’I COUNTY FILM PERMITS
CLICK HERE FOR HAWAI’I COUNTY FILM PERMITS
Insurance For Hawai‘i County Film Locations
General Liability
$1 million occurrence
$2 million aggregate
In the “description of operations/locations/vehicles/special items” section please submit:
“The County of Hawai‘i, including all of its departments and attached agencies, their officers, employees and agents are named as additional insured with respect to the named insured’s filming activities.”
In the “Certificate Holder” section:
Hawai‘i Island Film Office
County of Hawai‘i
Department of Research and Development65-1279 Kawaihae Road Suite 109
Kamuela , Hawaii 96743
Aulani Freitas – Hawaii Island Film Commissioner
Aulani.Freitas@hawaiicounty.gov
Call or Text 808-936-9426
Have Questions?
Contact HIFO
PONO PLEDGE
Hawai‘i Island is a truly magical place, and we want your production to be safe, responsible and respectful to others and the environment while enjoying the island. After you’ve filled out your film permit application, please take a short moment to take our Pono Pledge.
The island of Hawai‘i is one of the most geographically diverse and awe-inspiring places on the planet, and it is our kuleana (responsibility) as an island community to encourage pono (righteous) practices so that it remains that way for future generations. By committing to this pledge, your production is acknowledging the responsibility to have respect for place—no matter where you are.
This includes enjoying the island safely, respecting wildlife, observing no trespassing signs, properly preparing for weather and ocean conditions, and being mindful about protecting the island’s fragile environment.
The Pono Pledge website also includes useful safety information pertaining to various warnings, watches, advisories and outlook signs you may encounter. Full lists of lifeguarded beaches, endangered species and their protections, ocean warning flags, rules of the road, earthquake information, volcano updates, and emergency numbers are also available.
Take the Pono Pledge today. Mahalo!
STATE
If you are looking to permit a location under State jurisdiction (ie: State Parks, Airports, Harbors, etc) The State Film Office administers a one-stop permit process for all State owned locations and properties, and also administers the 25% refundable production tax credit.
FEDERAL
There are four National Parks on Hawai‘i Island. Permits can be obtained directly from each park:
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Website
(808) 985-6018
Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Website
(808) 328-2326
Pu‘ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Website
(808) 882-7218
Kaloko Honokohau National Park
Website
(808) 329-6881
PRIVATE
HIFO has a wide network of relationships with “film-friendly” landowners all over the island. For productions that involve private property, Team Aloha is available to help you as a liaison with the local community to secure the location you need!
