A Message From the Hawaii Local President

Aloha Hawaii Local SAG-AFTRA Union Members,

I am so proud to serve as your volunteer Local Board president. Our Hawaii Local has a rich history of dedicated, caring and involved members who give their time freely to help support their fellow Hawaii Local union members and grow our membership. Your dedication and hard work are instrumental in all of our successes, and your efforts do not go unnoticed.

A great example of this passion and commitment to our local is the awesome group of people who woke up early and walked at the Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Monday, Jan. 20. They represented our union by marching together and carrying our large, gold SAG-AFTRA banner down the streets of Waikiki. Your participation in the parade helps inspire others to spread Dr. King’s message of ending all discrimination. He believed that unions are a powerful force both in numbers and voice, calling for racial equity and social justice.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who volunteered at the Hawaii State Legislature Opening Day event on Jan. 15. Our Local Board VP and Legislative Committee Chair Charles Uyehara, along with myself, National Board member Henry Ian Cusick, Local Board members Lisa Romano and Sally Davis, and our incredible Local Executive Director Mericia Palma Elmore, walked up and down the floors and crowded halls of the State Capitol for hours. We met and celebrated with our elected legislators and thanked them for their consideration and efforts to grow our film community. Click here to view photos.

The film industry plays a crucial role in our state’s economy. It not only creates jobs across many unions but also generates significant revenue that benefits all residents of Hawaii. It is essential that we all continue to support and advocate for the growth of this industry. By attracting more film and television opportunities to our state, we can boost our economy and create more employment opportunities for everyone.

Working in the film industry has been a vital part of my life, and my ohana’s, as taxpaying residents of Hawaii. The opportunities we have had over the past two decades have allowed us to earn incomes and benefits, and contribute back to our local economy. Our industry’s future growth could provide financial stability and open even more doors for all of us.

So, it is important that we let our representatives know how we feel about the film industry and its impact on our state. By advocating for competitive film tax incentives (basically coupons or rebates that only get paid out after the production wraps up filming) and the removal of caps (limits on the amounts of rebates they can earn) and sunset dates (ending dates to the incentive programs), we can ensure that Hawaii remains an attractive location for film productions. I encourage you to look up who your local representatives are for your district. Email them and express your support for the film industry here in Hawaii. Share your story, tell them how important this part of the state economy is for everyone, and how we need to revitalize and refocus on it.

Let’s all work together to advocate for the growth of the film industry in Hawaii. We all want more work, and we have to help them understand how that can happen. Remind your reps that we all want to see the state economy grow, and increasing incentives to film productions to come and stay here means more jobs for us and more direct revenue for the state. By getting involved and voicing our support, we can ensure that this industry once again thrives and that, in turn, will benefit all the residents of our beautiful state.

As our entire industry transforms right before our eyes, staying informed, being an advocate and becoming adaptable is more crucial than ever. The continual rise of streaming platforms, rapid advancements in technology and changes in audience preferences are reshaping everything we once knew. These changes come with many obstacles but also open up exciting new opportunities for innovation and creativity. Remember the quote, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Will you be prepared when the opportunity presents itself?

Here are some opportunities for you to get involved and contribute while adapting to our new reality.

Get involved with our union locally 

• Write to your legislators today: Ask for them to make policies and create legislation that support the arts and protect the interests of your fellow performers. Your voice can make a difference in shaping the future of our industry.
• Volunteer at our conservatories (educational class offerings): Share ideas for helpful training offerings you would like to see happen, and volunteer at workshops or classes “on the day.” Participate in conservatories and hone your skills and learn ways to adapt to industry changes. Watch all of the many educational offerings on our national SAG-AFTRA website.
• Assist your fellow performer: Check in on your friends in the industry. Connect them to resources such as the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and local resources and assistance groups. Share opportunities for them to hone their skills. Get together and create, practice, connect with each other and support one another. Help your fellow members update their profiles on platforms like Actors Access.
• Use your acting skills: Find volunteer opportunities in local theaters, schools, libraries or community centers where you can apply your acting skills and give back to the community. Volunteer at the university for student films and script-reading sessions.

Stay connected and support each other — together, we all succeed!

Being active in our local not only strengthens our community, but also provides you with opportunities to grow and learn. On behalf of the entire Hawaii Local Board, we encourage all members to participate and share their unique talents and perspectives.

Together, we can navigate the massive changes in our industry and local economy and emerge stronger and more united. Thank you for your continued dedication and passion.

Pupukahi i holomua!
Unite to move forward,

Andrea “Andy” Sikkink
Hawaii Local President