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Culture and Arts

In an Abercrombie Administration, culture and arts will rise to a level of importance that we have not seen in Hawaii. Our diverse cultures and the Native Hawaiian culture in particular, are essential for the survival of our economy, our communities, and our identities. We will invest in culture and the arts in all forms, beginning by reintroducing their importance in schools, supporting businesses and entrepreneurs, producing and attracting high quality cultural activities and events, supporting Native Hawaiian cultural institutions and activities, and better coordinating and marketing culture and arts institutions. All of this activity will strengthen our visitor industry, but the benefits will also be felt by our own residents and enhance our overall quality of life.

One key area that has important economic ramifications is the film industry, including film, television, digital media, computer animation, and visual effects. In the last ten years, this industry has brought more than a billion dollars in direct revenues to Hawaii. The benefits have come to all islands, employing hundreds of local crew and vendors while also promoting our visitor industry. Hawaii has a growing reputation as a great place for the film industry with excellent local crews, production incentives, and, increasingly, a digitally savvy workforce of young creative people who have chosen to stay in the islands. This critical mass of writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, animators, web designers and crew armed with the latest in low-cost, high-definition production and post-production hardware and software is enhancing our traditional location-based vendor industry with original programming and films.

We will provide adequate resources for the Hawaii Film Office; nurture the independent community of filmmakers committed to documenting Hawaii’s story; support our student filmmakers with expanded educational opportunities; and forge public-private partnerships to build sound stages, post production facilities, and office space. Thanks to broadband and the emerging dominance of the Asian entertainment market, Hawaii is uniquely situated to serve the entire Pacific Rim and beyond.