Kauai Film Commission - Filming on Kauai

Kauai’s very accessible "remote" locations are served by the most advanced communication links in the world.



	The following is the most requested information about filming on Kauai. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more details.

Climate:

	Seasonal temperature variations are slight. Highs rarely reach 90 degrees F. on summer afternoons, while winter nights occasionally drop to 60 degrees F. Average daily maximum temperature is 81 degrees F and daily minimum temperature is 69 degrees F. Tide charts and sunrise/sunset charts are available upon request.

Roads:

	One major road extends around most of Kauai. Branching off from the main highway is a network of roads that meander through small towns and seaside resort areas. Literally hundreds of miles of private dirt roads web the agricultural lands and back country.

Air Transportation:

	United Airlines now flies non-stop from LA and San Francisco to Kauai. In addition dozens of non-stop jet flights carry passengers and freight from California to Honolulu in just five hours; six and a half from Tokyo. Two interisland carriers provide half-hour flights between Honolulu and Kauai. Several helicopter companies and a fixed wing tour company operate on Kauai with numerous skilled pilots experienced in flying both for filming and to ferry film crews to remote locations.


Land Transportation:

	Ground transportation of all sorts is available, from vintage vehicles to luxury limousines, from four-wheel drive rentals to container freight delivery trucks.


Ocean Transportation:

	Kauai is part of an efficient Pacific shipping network; container-carrying barges arrive at Nawiliwili Harbor twice weekly. Containers shipped directly to Kauai from a mainland port cost exactly the same as they would to Oahu. Harbor facilities are suitable for large ships as well as outrigger and sailing canoes, Zodiacs, charter fishing boats, sloops and catamarans -- everything from tiny kayaks to 130 foot cruise ships.

Film Processing:

	Exposed film delivered for a red-eye flight to Los Angeles in the evening will be back, available for screening by the afternoon of the following day.

Equipment & Supplies:

	Equipment not available on Kauai is easily transferred by barge or jet from Honolulu.

Let the Film Comission help you find personnel and resources to support your project.


Personnel:

	Kauai boasts qualified and capable film professionals, including cinematographers, videographers, underwater photographers, camera operators, sound recordists, editors, electricians, gaffers, set and wardrobe assistants, greensmen, animal wranglers, stunt people, production and location managers, land, sea and air coordinators, and skilled office support staff. Local casting directors and modeling agencies maintain extensive photo files for talent and extras.

Pristine beauty less than six hours from LAX.


Accommodations & Catering:

	Quality accommodations and catering are readily available in close proximity to film locations around the island. Hotels are competitively priced and experienced at serving film crews.


Communications:

	Modern capabilities include a fiber optic link to Oahu and the mainland and the nation's first (and least expensive) rural digital cellular phone system, a great advantage when filming in remote locations.


Film Permits:

	The Kauai Film Commission can assist with the application and film permitting process for State and County land. Following is a brief summary of each: Filming on State land and/or Conservation-zoned lands requires a State film permit and $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage naming the State of Hawaii as additional insured. Permit application forms are available through the Hawaii Film Office. Several varieties of permits are available depending on the specifics of the project. For more information, contact the Hawaii Film Office at P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, HI 96804, phone: 808-586-2570, fax: 808-586-2572. Filming on County property requires a County Revocable Film Permit and $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage naming the County of Kauai as additional insured. County permits are available through the Kauai Film Commission (see contact information on this site). There are no fees for State or County permits nor are there location fees for filming on State or County property. A refundable security or damage deposit may, however, be required depending on the complexity of the activity planned. And, if the proposed location is considered sensitive, or the activity to be film is complex, special conditions may be imposed or supervisory personnel, i.e., State enforcement officers, off-duty police or fire personnel may be required on location. All related costs are covered by the production company. Filming on private property requires the consent of the property owner, unless set construction or complex activity is proposed for areas zoned Conservation or Special Management Area, in which case County and/or State filming permits and SMA. Minor permits may also be required.

Stress-free shooting and scheduling on Hollywood’s "tropical backlot."

Island helicopter and fixed wing companies offer expert aerial services.


Film Incentives:

	The State of Hawaii offers a refundable income tax credit of up to four percent of the costs incurred in Hawaii and up to seven and one quarter percent of the transient accommodations costs incurred in Hawaii in production of a motion picture or television film the budget of which reaches certain thresholds. For additional information, please contact the Hawaii Film Office at 808-256-2570.


Resource Information:

	For more details on available personnel and resources, please request the State Media Index and/or the Kauai Production Resource Directory. Both contain detailed listings of people and businesses available to support film industry projects.


Filming on other islands in Hawaii:

	The Hawaii State Film Office is located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu and offers assistance to producers interested in filming anywhere in the state. Contact info: Hawaii Film Office, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, HI 96804, phone: 808-586-2570, fax: 808-586-2572. In addition, each island in Hawaii has its own film commission. Visit the home pages for Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii for more detailed information about filming on those islands. The Hawaii State Media Index is also a great resource for filmmakers.