HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0420.001 2020-2022 t
Testimony on Communication 420 re. film permitting
for Hawai'i County Council
Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations,and Economic Development
10:30 AM October 19, 2021
from Cory Harden, Hilo
Thank you to Ms. Kierkierwicz for initiating this long-overdue look at filming.
Our island has seen serious filming impacts to both humans and nature from inadequate government
oversight of filmmakers who don't know Hawaii,working under deadlines and financial pressure.
A few months ago,with inadequate warning, "Love Island" filmmakers started running trucks through
Ninole, starting at 5:00 in the morning. By day,their bullhorns blared, dozens of vehicles honked thei
horns, loud cheers rang out, and helicopters buzzed overhead. And all night, lights were left burning, .
possibly disorienting seabirds. Neighbors couldn't sleep. One had to take sick days because of stress.
Another estimated the trucks did $20,000 worth of damage to his road.
But County Planning told residents that it was private property, so they couldn't do much to help.
Councilmember Kimball asked the filmmaker to meet with her about signing the Pono Pledge, but n
meeting ever took place.
The filmmakers also flew drones in sensitive areas--aver Pololu trail and at Hapuna Beach.
Back in the 1990s,for the "Wind on the Water"film, residents were sometimes barred from beaches
and nearshore waters,and bright lights lit up the night.
Also in the 1990s, during filming of"Waterworld",a structure sank in Kawaihae Harbor, posing risks to
aquatic life.
Many agencies and departments are involved in oversight and permitting—the County and State film
offices, County Planning,the State Board of Land and Natural Resources,State Division of Conservation
and Resources Enforcement, and maybe others. How are they coordinating with each other to protect
the interests of local people and nature?
How about an audit to see how much money from filming actually ends up in our island economy? Film
companies and their people are often based outside of Hawai'i. The companies pay some taxes, but at
reduced rates. Meanwhile, residents pay costs for County and State film offices and all the agencies with
oversight.And how do you figure the costs of impacts to residents' lives, and impacts to nature from
filming in sensitive areas?
When COVID first hit,we were talking about self-sufficiency,growing our own food, producing more of
our own goods, and creating a locally based, sustainable economy.Shouldn't we get back to that?
Comm, F
Ref.To°
Ref,Date