Since the early 1980s, Hawaii has been a popular location for filming in Japan. More and more co-ordinator companies were taking filming jobs in Hawaii, and there were also a number of local companies that took on these jobs. HIFA was established in 1989 by a non-profit association of Hawaiian co-ordinators and local filming companies with the aim of solving this problem and managing various matters, including collective bargaining with the local US labour unions. HIFA is a non-profit organisation founded in 1989 by Hawaii co-ordinators and local filming companies. Since March 2020, the HIFA Pilot Programme (work visa free entry), which was used for more than 20 years to simplify immigration procedures, has been revoked and foreign film crews from Japan, Korea and other countries have been deported from Honolulu Airport. We have been working to revive the pilot programme and have now formed a revival team and are lobbying various administrative and government agencies. Unfortunately, the programme has not yet been reinstated, despite the cooperation of many supporters. Currently, the US Department of Homeland Security requires foreign film crews to obtain work visas and recommends the following visas. H visa P visa O visa Mainly for commercial purposes such as TV commercials, promotional videos, etc. I visa Mainly for news reporting, documentaries, educational and informative programmes  B visas Business meetings, participation in events, etc. For information on visas, please refer to the websites of the US Department of State, US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the US Embassy in Japan. HIFA has a number of coordinators who work from Japan, even though it is now more difficult to enter the country, and also has a coordinator who works from South Korea. If you are considering filming in Hawaii, please contact HIFA or one of the HIFA-affiliated co-ordinator companies.
Hawaii International Film Association (HIFA)
Julie Okada
HIFA President
P.O.Box 8094 Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
808-281-2211
 

PLEASE HELP US BY SIGINNG THE PETITON!

Entry program for International film crews, including Japan, that's been utilized to enter Hawaii for filming has been suddenly suspended and Japanese crews were denied entry and deported. Film crews who have used this program to enter Hawaii did not displace work from local people but has contributed to Hawaii's economy including hiring of local crew.

If we can’t reinstate this program, we can’t present you, the viewers, images and informations about Hawaii through the eyes of TV commercials, dramas and shows etc. It will affect Hawaii's economy which includes our local film crew and all vendors.

Please sign our petition to help restart HIFA Visa Waiver Program

★Please click Support the Hawaii Film Industry to sign up for Petition

★Please click List of CF/Program Shot with HIFA Program to see List of Commercial/TV Program

★Please click Official HIFA Letter for more details.

*This petition drive has no relation to COVID-19

 
 

About us

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The Hawaii International Film Association (HIFA) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986 by companies and individuals specializing in the overseas production business. HIFA provides assistance by negotiating with the government, labor unions, private businesses and assists with the U.S. Customs and Border Protections prior to any filming in Hawaii.

HIFA serves as a point of contact between local labor unions and government regarding the international filming industry in Hawaii. We are dedicated to provide our foreign clients accurate information.

The type of filming services provided by HIFA member companies and individuals can range from anywhere from filming TV Commercials, TV shows, Music Videos, Corporate videos, government PR videos, news, magazines, marketing materials, etc. Other services offered includes anywhere from negotiations with companies and/or individuals, equipment arrangement, automotive arrangement, lodging arrangement, travel arrangement, and much more.

HIFA is dedicated to further improve Hawaii as one of the best filming locations in the world.