About The Commission
Operating under the Ministry of Commerce, the Nation of Hawai’i Film Commission is the central governing body for engaging film, television, documentary, and digital media projects on our lands. Our primary mission is to advance narrative sovereignty and create sustainable economic opportunities within the local creative economy.
We exist to ensure that Native Hawaiian stories are told with dignity, cultural respect, and long-term economic participation for our people.
A Collaborative Vision for Hawaiian Media
“Hawai’i is a place of deep stories, stories carried through generations. NOHFilm exists to honor those stories and the people who hold them. This Commission is about building trust, opening doors, and creating opportunity.” — Kawika Hoke, NOHFilm
NOHFilm Mandate
When media projects engage with Hawai’i, the process must be collaborative, respectful, and grounded in our community relationships.
Kawika Hoke, NOHFilm Commissioner
Kawika Hoke serves as the Film Commissioner for the Nation of Hawai‘i, where he leads the development of a sovereign, Hawai‘i-based film industry designed to empower Kanaka storytellers. Bringing a wealth of experience from the California entertainment industry to his ancestral home of Maui, Hoke is a proven creative leader, producer, and community advocate. He is the co-founder of the Kanaka-owned Laulima Studios, the creator and showrunner of the hit streaming comedy series Moku Moku, and an active Board Member for the Maui Grassroots Collective.
As Film Commissioner, Hoke is currently spearheading the 2026-2027 Community Media Development Program. Through this initiative, he is driving a circular creative economy that ensures Hawaiian history, culture, and identity are authentically written, filmed, and owned by Hawaiians.
Current Initiatives:
• Development of Film Commission Bylaws
• Industry Partnership Framework
• Sustainable Production Guidelines
• Workforce Training Programs
Downloadable Materials (coming soon):
• Factbook & Historical Timeline
• Production Guidelines (PDF)
• Cultural Protocol Overview
• Media Kit (Logos, flag, official descriptions)
Commission Services
The Nation of Hawai‘i supports a production philosophy rooted in sustainability and long-term cultural integrity.
Production Advisory & Coordination
• Centralized point of contact for production
• Coordination guidance for filming within or near Nation-affiliated lands
• Scheduling advisement in alignment with community considerations
Cultural Protocol & Community Engagement
• Consultation on Hawaiian practice and protocol
• Working respectfully within Hawaiian communities
• Appropriate storytelling and cultural representation
CONTACT NOHFILM
The Nation of Hawai’i Film Commission provides advisory support for responsible film, television, and digital media production aligned with Hawaiian cultural stewardship and community values. For production inquiries, project consultations, or partnership discussions, please submit a production overview to: Film@nohgov.com