Hawai‘i owes a hearty mahalo to Georgette Deemer, veteran manager of the Hawai‘i Film Office, as she brings down the curtain on this part of her career.
Deemer is quitting the state post, after some 15 years, to go into the private sector. During her tenure, the Island film industry has survived challenges of high costs, labor strife and our isolated - if exotic - location.
Gradually, Hawai‘i has earned a reputation as a solid place to film, and not just when there is a need for a tropical location.
Deemer has contributed heavily toward that reputation.
The task for the state now is to build on Deemer’s work and expand our reputation as a place where good weather and a friendly regulatory environment make it a logical home for the film industry. Her replacement should be a high-powered official who can move the necessary mountains at home and make the right connections in Hollywood.
No time can be lost in finding the right person. Deemer has given us momentum. We need to maintain it.
