When the state film office asked lawmakers in 2012 for money to repair the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head, the request came with a stark admonishment: In its condition at the time, the facility was "an embarrassment to Hawaii’s film industry and a liability to the state."
The air-conditioning system in the primary soundstage often stopped working, the large barn doors on a building that houses a tank for underwater filming were too dangerous to move, and several buildings needed to be removed because of termite damage, carpenter ants in electrical systems and rats.
But just as it does every Friday night in prime time, the CBS crime drama "Hawaii Five-0" rescued the state once again.
Since moving into the facility in May 2013, "Five-0" has spent more than $709,000 on repairs and improvements that the state applied toward the show’s monthly rent, said state film Commissioner Donne Dawson.
"Five-0," which just started shooting its fifth season, is charged $50,000 a month for use of the 7.5-acre complex on 18th Avenue below Kapiolani Community College, she said.
Dawson called the show "a brilliant partner."
"We’re making progress and we’re making good progress," she said. "Considering the lack of resources to do everything we want to, we are making do with the resources we have."
The film office estimated two years ago that the Diamond Head facility needed $10.4 million in renovations. Lawmakers gave film officials about half that, including money budgeted for planning and design, Dawson said.
"Five-0" moved into the state facility during the hiatus between its third and fourth seasons because its original production headquarters — the old Honolulu Advertiser building — was sold to a developer.
The show paid $216,000 for new air-conditioning chillers on the Diamond Head studio’s 16,500-square-foot soundstage, replacing a system that was two decades old. It was a critical fix, Dawson said.
"You need to have a strong, functioning, efficient air-conditioning system to keep your set cool," she said. "Your set is going to be very hot with lights and equipment and lots of warm bodies."
The show also spent $137,000 to air-condition a sweltering building once used as a stage by the original "Five-0," then spent another $105,000 to insulate the 12,000-square-foot building, Dawson said. The stage, which still sports a "Hawaii Five-0" sign from the original series, is now home to several permanent sets: the crime lab, Max’s morgue and Steve McGarrett’s home.
The series also was credited for the cost of insulating the water tank building — about $115,000. The building was built in 1999 by the producers of "Baywatch: Hawaii."
Other improvements included $103,000 for a new building for costumes and $33,000 worth of electrical upgrades.
FOR ITS PART, the state replaced the barn doors with a safer alternative and completed some repaving. But its next big project — replacing the wood buildings that date back to 1976 — may have to wait until "Five-0" calls it quits because there isn’t enough time between seasons to complete the project, Dawson said after meeting with "Five-0" production members last week.
Dawson wants to see a second soundstage on the property, and her office might ask the Legislature for money when it meets next year. She wouldn’t discuss size, location or cost, but said a project like that would have to wait until the Diamond Head property was not in use.
CBS said in a statement that it was happy with the working relationship it has with state film officials. Filming in Hawaii is important to the authenticity and legacy of the series, the network said, noting that it was committed to future improvements.
That’s good news for the Diamond Head facility, the only state-owned film studio in Hawaii.
"It is an aging facility that is under heavy use on a daily basis, and things break down unexpectedly and we have to address those things as they come," Dawson said.
And if "Five-0" doesn’t receive a sixth season?
"If they leave, when they leave, we will have a much better, safer, more efficient and user-friendly facility for future productions," Dawson said. "Given that, we owe a lot to ‘Five-0.’"
AND that’s a wrap …
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
