A series of major film and television productions are underway in Hawaii, marking a period of growth for the state’s creative industries and film workforce. Productions include the second season of Netflix’s “UNTAMED,” Sony’s “Jumanji 3,” and the action-comedy “Protecting Jared” featuring Jason Momoa and Andy Samberg.
The new season of “UNTAMED” has shifted its setting to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, with filming taking place on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. The show follows Special Agent Kyle Turner, played by Eric Bana, as he investigates mysteries across six episodes. Key figures from Netflix, Warner Bros. Television, and other production companies attended a Hawaiian blessing to launch filming.
Sony’s “Jumanji 3” is scheduled to begin shooting on O‘ahu with a planned release in December 2026. Meanwhile, “Protecting Jared” pairs Momoa as a Hawaiian security guard with Samberg as a tech billionaire in a story centered around an attempted kidnapping.
Governor Josh Green commented on the significance of these projects for local workers: “The commitment of these productions is critically important for our Hawaiʻi crews, actors and industry vendors, who are returning to fruitful employment in their craft. These films and the series are creating jobs for not just local talent and crew, they are supporting small businesses and driving opportunities that ripple across our state — touching lives and strengthening livelihoods.” The Governor also supports broader social recovery efforts, such as aiding communities affected by wildfires and honoring veterans and educators through various initiatives detailed on the official website.
James Kunane Tokioka, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), highlighted the importance of maintaining Hawaii’s appeal for filmmakers: “Keeping Hawai‘i primed for production to meet and continually attract these opportunities is essential to our creative economy and workforce and for generating the positive impacts productions have across other key sectors. The lineup of productions actively in and arriving to Hawai‘i reflects an industry-wide understanding of the unique appeal of these islands for visual storytelling and an appreciation for the skilled above- and below-the-line talent homegrown right here and ready to advance these diverse projects.”
DBEDT is working on modernizing Hawaii’s film tax credit system while ensuring infrastructure meets evolving production needs. This approach aims to encourage steady investment from studios looking to base their projects in Hawaii. The agency also seeks opportunities for local creatives to bring their intellectual property to global markets.
Georja Skinner, chief officer at DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division, noted: “The combination of these productions and others launching this year is restoring a vibrant anchor of our creative economy in the state. Hiring hundreds of our local resident crew, talent and vendors back to work restores our commitment to advancing a more competitive incentive for film production this session. Studios budget years in advance and incentives are key to planning where productions choose to shoot on location, amplified by an environment that encourages sound business and robust creative capacity. Cultivating relationships also plays an important role in returning and new opportunities, with many wonderful artists and industry leaders advocating for Hawai’i stories and Hawai‘i-set storytelling to be told authentically in and from these islands.”
John Wells Productions has contributed significantly by hiring local producers, providing platforms for Native Hawaiian filmmakers’ debuts, and sourcing most crew members locally through shows like “Rescue: HI-Surf.” These actions support job creation while promoting authentic storytelling set in Hawaii.
In addition to supporting its creative sector, state leadership continues work on issues such as healthcare access expansion, homelessness programs framed as healthcare initiatives, tax reform measures aimed at affordability, renewable energy advancement efforts with multiple partners against climate change challenges—all priorities outlined by the Governor’s office (official website). The administration remains focused on governance policies impacting regions including wildfire-affected areas like Lahaina (official website).
With increased activity from both ongoing series productions like “UNTAMED”—involving creators Mark L. Smith, Lauren Elle Smith; executive producer Eric Bana; John Wells Productions; Warner Bros.; Netflix—and upcoming features such as “Jumanji 3” or “Protecting Jared,” Hawaii positions itself as a continued destination for major media projects while reinforcing economic opportunity throughout its communities.