Board Members
HFA Board Members
The Hawai'i Film Alliance Board represents a diverse spectrum of leaders from key sectors of Hawai'i's film industry.
Irish Barber
Local 665 Business Rep/Local 996 Teamster
Film and TV
Irish Barber has nearly four decades of experience spanning various production roles, including transportation, grip, and electric. Her impressive film credits include blockbusters such as Jurassic World, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Snatched, Big Eyes, and Dragonfly. Her TV work spans influential series including Hawaii Five-0, Baywatch, Off the Map, and The Amazing Race.
Union Leadership and Advocacy
Mentorship and Community Engagement
Sanoe Damon
Early Career
Before stepping into her leadership role in film administration, Sanoe contributed her production experience to popular series like Hawaii Five‑0, Magnum P.I., and Doogie Kamealoha M.D., including national commercials, and feature films. Coupled with her deep knowledge of the Hawaiʻi filming landscape and IATSE member, she brings practical insight and authenticity to her work with creatives, studio executives, and government.
Growth & Support
Advocacy
As an HFA board member, Sanoe offers a strong voice for local production crews and government collaboration, ensuring that industry initiatives reflect real-world set needs and that advocacy efforts are grounded in lived experience.
Eric Fox Hays
Producer/UPM
Early Career
Eric Fox Hays is an experienced production professional based in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a diverse background as a producer, production manager, and first assistant director. His career began in the early 1990s as a production assistant on films like Angels in the Outfield. Over the years, he advanced through key roles in major features, frequently working in second-unit and production management capacities. Notable credits include Captain Phillips, Homefront, Devil’s Due, The Best of Me, American Ultra, and Keeping Up with the Joneses.
TV Leadership
In TV, Eric has pivoted to leadership in local and mainland series. Most prominently, he serves as co-producer, unit production manager, and as a director on NCIS: Hawaiʻi, contributing to over 100 episodes. Before that, he held multiple roles—such as first assistant director, unit production manager, and second-unit director—on NCIS: New Orleans from 2014 to 2021.
Industry Impact and Reputation
In summary, Eric’s nearly 30-year career showcases a steady evolution from on-set assistant to high-level production leadership, especially within the NCIS franchise. His versatility and leadership skills in both film and TV have made him a respected presence in the Hawaii production community.
Brian Keaulana
Lineage and Cultural Influence
Production Impact
Keaulana has profoundly influenced Hollywood’s portrayal of Hawai’i through his work as a producer, water safety expert, and action director. He has worked on productions such as 50 First Dates, Jurassic World, and Battleship.
Lifeguard and Cultural Preservation Work
Industry Advocacy
Angie Laprete
Production Experience
Angela Laprete is an award-winning producer from Hawaii with over 30 years of experience in the film industry. Her work spans local, national, and international projects for episodic TV, blockbuster features, and independent films, including credits for “Hawaii Five-0”, “The Wind and the Reckoning”, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”, the upcoming Amazon feature “Wrecking Crew”, and the Apple+ TV series “Chief of War”.
Giving Back and Elevating Opportunities
Beyond her on-screen work, Angela has always shared her expertise by giving back and elevating opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers. In early 2023, she co-founded the non-profit organization ICAN (International Cultural Arts Network), which aims to empower diversity with a focus on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the entertainment industry. ICAN provides access to high-level training, creates pathways into the film business, and bridges connections globally. Angela also served on the Board for the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) for 15 years.
Education and Residency
Vince Keala Lucero
Cultural Contributions
Native Hawaiian filmmaker Vince Keala Lucero exemplifies indigenous storytelling that masterfully weaves historical authenticity with contemporary narrative techniques. His distinctive work is celebrated for both artistic excellence and cultural integrity.
Lucero has produced impactful broadcast content for Kamehameha Schools and Hōkūleʻa, while also documenting the prestigious Merrie Monarch Hula Festival since 2012. His contributions to independent films like Waikiki, Ho’omau, and The Wind & The Reckoning showcase his dedication to authentic cultural representation.
Filmography
Lucero’s credits include Executive Producer of the Merrie Monarch Festival, Water Unit A Camera Operator for Rescue HI Surf, 2nd Unit Camera Operator for Chief of War, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Snatched, Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, Hawai’i Drone Operator for Snowden, and Camera Operator for Hawaii Five-0, Magnum PI, and Doogie Kamealoha.
Community Engagement and Initiatives
A proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools and Loyola Marymount University, Lucero began his career with an award-winning Pacific Arts Festival documentary and directed the first Black Eyed Peas music video. His community commitment shines through initiatives like co-producing the Maui Ola Telethon and Jam4Maunakea.
Robert Suka
Transpo Coordinator/Infrastructure Development
Early Career
Robert Suka is a seasoned film professional and community-minded business leader based in Honolulu. He founded Green Solution Consultants, where he blends sustainable business expertise with support for local production infrastructure.
On screen and behind the scenes, Robert has worked as Co-Captain and Coordinator in the transportation department for major Hollywood productions filmed in Hawaiʻi, including Tropic Thunder, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and The Short List. His hands-on experience on these large-scale sets brings valuable perspective on logistical needs, crew collaboration, and the realities of shooting in the islands.
Community Engagement
He also helped co-found the International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN), a nonprofit that champions Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian representation in film and television. Through mentorship, community programs, and industry advocacy, Robert has helped open doors for local creatives across the islands.
Robert’s combined experience in production, business, and grassroots advocacy make him an essential voice on the HFA board. One dedicated to growth, representation, and sustainability in Hawaiʻi’s film industry.
Wainani Young Tomich
Early Career
Wainani Young is a highly experienced assistant director and producer known for her deep ties to the Hawaii film community. Her name means “beautiful water” in Hawaiian, a fitting reflection of her frequent leadership on water unit productions.
She began her on-set career in the mid 90s as a DGA trainee on projects like “Apollo 13,” “Ghosts of Mississippi,” “Sgt. Bilko,” and “Lois & Clark”. Over nearly three decades, Wainani has steadily advanced through the AD ranks, earning credits in major studio films and TV series.
Feature Films
On the feature side, she has been second assistant director or first assistant director on blockbusters and large-scale productions shot in Hawaii, such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Jurassic World, Godzilla vs. Kong, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Jumanji: The Next Level, Point Break, Finding ‘Ohana, Aloha, Lilo & Stitch, and The Wind & the Reckoning, which she also co‑produced.
TV
Her television credits are similarly impressive. She worked as AD or second AD on series including Lost (39 episodes as Assistant Director, plus second‑unit AD), Hawaii Five‑0 (47 episodes as second unit AD), Magnum P.I., Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Rescue: HI‑Surf.
Industry Leadership
Wainani exemplifies local leadership and production expertise. With a career spanning water unit coordination, large scale second unit operations, and hands-on producing, she brings invaluable insight into both the creative and logistical challenges of island filmmaking. Her track record of managing crews, coordinating complex shoots, and producing culturally significant projects makes her a champion for Hawaii’s growing film industry.
Brian Wallace
Local 665 Grip/Industry Advocate
Expertise and Contributions
Brian P. Wallace combines his expertise as an accomplished professional grip in feature films and TV with his role as creator and host of The Big Picture, a Facebook podcast offering unique insights into Hawai’i’s dynamic film and TV industry.
Production Experience
His technical contributions to major productions include Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), Murder Mystery 2 (2023), and the upcoming Lilo & Stitch (2025). Brian’s specialized knowledge of camera support systems—including dollies, cranes, and complex rigging—alongside his mastery of lighting environments, enables directors to achieve their creative vision while maintaining efficient production workflows.
Respected Voice and Connector
Based in Hawai’i, Brian developed deep professional bonds during his years with Hawaii Five‑0, where crew relationships transcended typical workplace connections. His genuine appreciation for these collaborations reflects both his personal warmth and professional dedication. Through The Big Picture podcast, Brian extends his industry influence beyond set work, offering thoughtful analysis and behind-the-scenes perspectives on productions ranging from independent projects to major studio releases. This dual expertise as both hands-on crew member and industry commentator establishes him as a respected voice and vital connector within Hawai’i’s film community.
