Our Standard Film Permit Application is only for Hawaii locations that are administered by the STATE, and is required for all filming activity on STATE-administered locations.  City and county-administered locations have a separate permit application process (click here for information on the county film offices). If you are unsure of the proper jurisdiction of your requested locations, please contact our office at (808) 586-2570. If you are based in Hawaii, and shoot in Hawaii regularly year-round (e.g., stock, wedding, or tour guide photography), you should apply for an Annual Permit.

Standard permit applications require your signature before submission and must be faxed to the Hawaii Film Office at (808) 586-2572 one week prior to the date of shooting.

For your convenience, our Standard Film Permit Application may be downloaded from the links below as a fillable PDF or fillable MS Word document. We suggest that you save these forms to your computer, fill them out on your computer, print them, and fax them to us for processing.

1. Review our state filming regulations and permit procedures
   
   
2. Download and fill out the "GENERAL INFORMATION" section of our Film Permit Application (below). Be sure to provide all statistical information requested. Use the second page of the General Information section for additional locations that do not fit on the first page.
   >> Helpful tip: Most beaches and parks are included on our DLNR Open/Accessible Sites list for the four major islands (Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu). By indicating "DLNR O/A Sites" for a particular island as one of your locations under #7 in the "General Information" section, you can film at any of the locations on the list without obtaining permission for each individual location.  However, your project must meet pre-approved criteria for this option (e.g., small crew using standard equipment, no special effects).
   
   
3. Download and fill out one "SPECIFIC INFORMATION" form for EACH location requested.  You must sign each "Specific Information" sheet you submit. Please provide easily readable map(s) to expedite the approval process.
   >> Helpful tip: Maps from Google, Yahoo, or Mapquest are illegible when faxed. We suggest hand-drawn maps which clearly indicates the filming area, camera placement, parking plan, and base camp, with the use of landmarks and directional notes.
   
   
4. Fill out a Certificate of Liability Insurance for the non-open/accessible sites you request. Productions are required to carry $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage naming the State of Hawaii as additional insured. Click here for REQUIRED insurance wording. Your Certificate must be faxed with your permit application. The original Certificate must also be emailed to us in PDF format to info@hawaiifilmoffice.com or mailed to is at: Hawaii Film Office, PO Box 2359, Honolulu, HI 96804.
   
   
5. Fax your entire application ("General Information" section, signed "Specific Information" sheets, plus Certificate of Liability Insurance for non-open/accessible sites) to the Hawaii Film Office at (808) 586-2572.
   
   
6. Once approved by the proper state agencies, your film permit will be faxed to the number listed on your "General Information" section. Carry your approved film permit with you at all times while on location. The contact person listed on the application will be responsible for ensuring that the production abides by the conditions of the permit.
   
   
7. Use the "ADDENDUM" form only if you need to make changes to an already approved location on your film permit application.  If you want to simply add a new location to your existing permit, please list it under #7 on your "General Information Section" and resend it together with a "Specific Information Section" page for that new location.

(Fillable, not saveable) 1.GENERAL INFORMATION.pdf 2.SPECIFIC INFORMATION.pdf Complete a "specific information" page for EACH location listed in section 7 of the general. ADDENDUM.pdf (for changes to already approved locations only).

(Fillable/Saveable) 1.GENERAL INFORMATION.dot 2.SPECIFIC INFORMATION.dot Complete a "specific information" page for EACH location listed in section 7 of the general. ADDENDUM.dot (for changes to already approved locations only).

Important Notes:

• Keep in mind that your application is faxed back and forth to various State agencies for approval.  Readability becomes a problem if the original is not legible.  A form filled out on your computer is strongly preferred.  If your application is not legible, you will be asked to resubmit it.
• For water filming please indicate the area to be used as: “Waters off of (location) ”
  
• We can only process Film Permit Applications that list specific locations (other than DLNR Open/Accessible Sites). Locations listed as "TBD" cannot be processed.
• On the Specific Information Sheet(s), list only the activities related to that specific location.
  

Please contact us at (808) 586-2570 or info@hawaiifilmoffice.com if you have any questions.