PARKS AND BEACHES

There are two types of parks permits guidelines -- Pre-approved and Standard. Both are detailed below.

Parks Pre-approved Permit Guidelines: If the following criteria are met, a preapproved permit may be granted for all generally open and accessible areas under the Department of Parks and Recreation jurisdiction. Please allow 2-3 working days to process.

• The location must be open to the general public and cannot require special entry conditions.
• The activity cannot create a significant impact on the area
• The activity cannot interfere with the public’s general use of an area
• The activity cannot take place on a weekend or holiday
• The activity requires no special parking arrangements
• The activity requires no temporary or permanent structures to be built, with the exception of scaffolding for camera position
• Equipment that requires special attention or creates a public disturbance cannot not be used (ie: dolly tracks, long cables, generators)
• Helicopters and Special Effects, including simulated gunfire or explosives, cannot be used

The pre-approved permit allows the filmmaker maximum flexibility and is designed for small groups that are of a minimal impact. Because the permit is issued in a “blanket” format and is not park specific, the permittee may not interfere or stop ongoing park activities.

Requests for exceptions from the above criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may or may not invalidate the pre-approved status. Some pre-approved sites may have special restrictions. All permits which do not qualify as a preapproved permit will be considered a Standard Permit.

Parks Standard Permits Guidelines: All permits which do not qualify as preapproved permits will be required to follow the guidelines for the Standard Permits. Please allow a minimum of 3-5 working days to process.

• The applicant will be required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 General Liability Insurance. A certificate of insurance naming the City and County of Honolulu as an additional insured for the duration of the production will also be required.
• Depending on the nature of the activity, special duty police officers or parks department personnel may be required. Rates vary.
• Some location may have special restrictions.

Insurance requirements: Some projects are required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 of general liability insurance, and name the City and County of Honolulu as an additional insured. Fax copies with hard-copy follow-up are accepted. Please fax to the Honolulu Film Office at 808/527-6102.

The certificate holder block should be addressed as follows:

City and County of Honolulu
530 S. King Street, Rm 306
Honolulu, HI 96813
Attn: Honolulu Film Office

Please be sure to place the film office name below as indicated or you will not be covering all city agencies.

Processing Fees: Fees range from $20 per day to $300 per day depending on the type of shoot and meeting fee reduction criteria. Please refer to the Fee Schedule Page of the film permit application for details. Payment must be received before permits can be released.

Processing Time: approximately 3 working days

Other Fees: Depending on the nature of the shoot you may be required to hire Parks Department personnel. Rates vary.

Permits and Licensing Office: Located in Downtown Honolulu at 650 S. King Street, Ground Floor, 808/523-4525. Fax: 808/523-4079. Ask for Lois Lee or Ann Niino. Hours: 7:45 am - 4:00 pm; Monday through Friday.

Jurisdiction: Some areas may be managed by both the City and the State. In these instances, you may need to have both a City and a State permit. State Filming permits for state parks usually do not have a fee but you may be required to hire an environmental officer. Call the Hawaii Film Office for more details, 808/586-2570.

Restricted Areas: No filming activities are currently allowed at Hanauma Bay Nature Park.