A Message From Your Hawaii Local President

Aloha Fellow Hawaii Local Members,

Happy New Year to all of you! We are continuing the momentum forward from last year’s many successful and award-winning productions, and already witnessing more growth in this new year in Hawaii’s film and television industry. Our union is strong! There are so many opportunities for all the performers across our local. I encourage you to be involved by reading your union emails, viewing our SAG-AFTRA website, and keeping up with both the national and local union news and offerings. Be an informed and active member. 

For example, did you know that if you have an existing name page on IMDb, you can now join IMDbPro (with a standard or new, free membership) and claim your page? We finally have control over our IMDb pages and can remove our birthdays or change or remove photos. Also, did you know you can view a list of any of the union productions currently filming in our state through your SAG-AFTRA app on your mobile phone? The more we know and support each other and our local industry in Hawaii, the better we increase the chances for work and career success for all. Remember the quote, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity!”

Mahalo to everyone who supported and marched with us in the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Jan. 16. This event celebrates his legacy and honors his call for equality and unity. We walked together with many organizations, including our brother and sister unions, from Magic Island down to the Kapiolani Bandstand. If you weren’t able to join us this year, please mark MLK day down on your calendar for next year!

The Legislative Committee, led by our awesome Local Vice President Charles Uyehara, along with me as your local president, our Board Secretary Scott Swartz and Board member Lisa Romano, attended the Legislative Session Opening Ceremonies at the Hawaii State Capitol on Jan. 18. It was the first time since 2020 that the public was invited back for the ceremonies. Our Hawaii Local Board members and our executive director, Mericia Palma Elmore, were able to personally meet many of the legislators, congratulating them on the new session and thanking them for their continued support of our industry. We encourage all members to know their local representatives and reach out to remind them that our film industry is a vital and growing part of our Hawaii economy that needs their attention and support. Please watch for those opportunities where you can give testimony to advocate for bills that encourage growth in our trade.

Make sure to mark your calendar, and when you receive the email with the details, RSVP right away for our Hawaii Local SAG Awards viewing party on Feb. 26. Seating is going to be very limited due to the venue size and COVID precautions. If you can’t attend with us, watch for more opportunities coming this spring for all of us to gather and learn and grow together! I look forward to seeing you on set soon!

Pupukahi i holomua! 

Unite to move forward!

Andrea “Andy” Sikkink

Hawaii Local President