Guidelines
The Hawaii Film Alliance
Forming the Hawaii Film Allliance coalition is a powerful step toward unifying our industry voices and creating sustainable change. To ensure the coalition remains focused and doesn’t get mired in politics or internal conflicts, here are some core guidelines:
These guidelines are a starting point and may evolve as we continue developing our official bylaws and structure. We’re a growing organization, and as we get feedback from members and partners, some policies and processes will likely change. We appreciate your understanding and support as we build this together.
1. Define a Shared Mission & Core Values
Mission: Unite Hawaii’s film and TV workforce to protect, grow, and promote the industry through advocacy, data, and public engagement.
Core Values: Unity, transparency, inclusivity, action, accountability.
2. Stay Worker-Focused
Center all decisions and communications around the impact on local workers—not organizational politics.
Use real worker stories and testimonies to ground policy recommendations in lived experience.
3. Create a Neutral Space for All Unions & Guilds
Invite SAG, IATSE 665, Teamsters, DGA, and others to participate without requiring immediate alignment.
Establish a “safe table” for discussion—no blame, no hierarchy, just shared goals.
4. Prioritize Clear, Actionable Objectives
Short-term: Gather economic data, document job losses/gains, collect worker testimony.
Mid-term: Build a public awareness campaign and connect with legislative allies.
Long-term: Draft and advocate for unified incentive legislation that all groups can support.
5. Build a Data & Testimony Task Force
Create a working group that collects hard numbers (jobs created, economic impact, tax revenue, etc.) and first-hand accounts.
Use this as the foundation for messaging, press, and legislative efforts.
6. Appoint a Non-Partisan Steering Committee
Choose leaders from various sectors—crew, producers, educators, small business partners—who are respected and apolitical.
Rotate leadership roles to prevent power consolidation or gatekeeping.
7. Set Ground Rules for Decision-Making
Consensus-driven decision-making wherever possible.
Majority vote used only when consensus isn’t reached—always with an explanation of reasoning.
Disagreement is respected but does not stall action.
8. Focus on Public Engagement
Empower the public to support the industry (e.g. petitions, letter campaigns, town halls).
Remind the community that this isn’t just about Hollywood—it’s about local jobs, local culture, and economic survival.
9. Avoid Endorsing Political Candidates
Stay focused on issues, not personalities. This keeps the coalition from becoming a political football.
Instead, rate legislation and actions based on alignment with coalition goals.
10. Celebrate Wins, Big or Small
Acknowledge every step forward—even collecting 100 testimonies or getting a local business to publicly support incentives.
Momentum builds unity. Mahalo for your support.
