[email protected], [email protected] ...sending this out to the Director of Economic Developement and the Risk Management office at the State: Hello There! My name is Greg Hoxsie. I am a Maui photographer and wedding planner. I’ve been a Hawaii resident for over 30 years. There is considerable concern within the photographic community in Hawaii with regards to the new film permitting requirements set forth by the Hawaii Film Office. Although I can’t speak for the entire industry, I think I can safely say that pretty much everyone I have communicated with supports a permitting system. However, it appears that the current system was designed exclusively by Donne Dawson and her staff without any industry input that I can document. Additionally, it’s almost impossible to have a rational discussion about the issue with Donne. I had to listen to a long and tiresome rant about how overworked and underfunded her office is when I simply tried to gather some additional information about the new system. I am very disappointed in the response I received and don’t appreciate being lectured to when I have some simple questions that relate to my livelihood. Here are the concerns from myself and some others in the industry. Once again, I am not an industry spokesperson, but this seems to be the consensus from my vantage point. 1. Why is the State asking to be signed on as additionally insured on an automobile policy? In the course of shopping around for a new policy (my current insurer will not do it) the agents pretty much think it’s an unusual request and can’t imagine the rationale behind it. (Donne Dawson could not explain it to me) Additionally, the DNLR has a similar permitting system for beach weddings and they have never required or requested to be signed on as additionally insured. Can someone please explain the rationale and reasoning behind this requirement to me? It looks as though a commercial auto policy will be involved costing somewhere between $1500 and $2000 annually. Why does the Film Office, but not the DNLR have this requirement for essentially the same locations and activities? 2. Why does 100% of the money collected from the new permitting system go to eHawaii, a private internet related company? The DNLR uses eHawaii for their permitting system, but only 10-13% of the money goes to eHawaii for pretty much identical services. The balance of the money goes back to the General Fund. I am VERY concerned about this arrangement and will be exploring this further in time. Potentially, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars involved here. 3. Why do we have to pull 26 separate permits at $10 dollars each to cover our activities annually? Why not charge a one time $260 fee for an annual permit and have other options for one time permits? 4. There are many different types of photographic and filming activities taking place all the time and perhaps it would be smarter to have a different permit and cost structure depending on the type of activities taking place. For example, there are surf photographers, stock photographers, landscape photographers, tourist photographers, commercial film crews, resident and non-resident photographers, etc…each one of these categories have different needs and impacts the State properties to a different degree. Therefore, since we are going to an automated system, why not have it structured to accommodate the very specific uses of the open and accessible areas? 5. What are the penalties for violations and what kind of enforcement can be expected? DOCARE probably has more important work to do. This new permitting system, as proposed, seems to be for the exclusive financial benefit of eHawaii. 6. I am interested in working WITH the State, not against it when it comes to issues that affect my businesses. Frankly, I don’t think the Film Office is capable at this time to manage the needs of the smaller photography and filming events taking place. They are not open to industry feedback from the very people they are supposed to be serving. My best suggestion at this time is to put this entire permitting issue on hold and get someone that can find the common ground between the State and the industry and then move forward with a permitting system that makes sense for everyone. Regards, Greg Hoxsie.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 21:08:05 +0000
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