Hawaii’s economy has been dealt a significant blow after the recent cancellation of “NCIS: Hawaii.” The show provided employment opportunities for many people in the state and brought in $50,000 in revenue for businesses like PD Technologies, owned by Eugene Price. Price emphasized the importance of the show to Hawaii and its impact on the local economy.
Rachel Whitley, who served as the Hawaii casting director for all three seasons of the show, expressed shock at its cancellation. She highlighted the hundreds of jobs that were created by the show and emphasized its strong viewership. However, financial considerations played a significant role in the decision to cancel it, according to longtime casting director Katie Doyle.
CBS reportedly spent $75 million per season on producing “NCIS: Hawaii,” making it a costly production. Competition from other filming locations with lower costs has led some productions to move away from Hawaii, despite the state offering tax incentives to attract them. More than 15,000 fans have signed a petition urging CBS to reconsider its decision, but it may not be enough to change it.
The situation has prompted reflection on Hawaii’s film industry and discussions about potential solutions to stimulate growth in this area. One idea is building a state-of-the-art film studio in West Oahu, which could help attract more productions and provide employment opportunities for locals. While such developments are still in their early stages, there is a sense of determination among industry professionals and stakeholders to address these challenges and move forward together.
In conclusion, while “NCIS: Hawaii” being canceled was disappointing news for fans and devastating for Hawaii’s economy, it has also prompted reflection on how we can improve our film industry here in Hawaii. With determination from both industry professionals and stakeholders alike, we can work towards building a more robust film industry that benefits everyone involved.