The cancellation of “NCIS: Hawaii” has left fans feeling disappointed and has had a significant impact on Hawaii’s economy. Many people were caught off guard by the decision, including Eugene Price, the owner of Honolulu design firm PD Technologies. Price emphasized the importance of the show to Hawaii, stating that it brought in $50,000 in revenue for his business last year and provided employment opportunities for many locals.
Rachel Whitley, who served as the Hawaii casting director for all three seasons of the show, expressed shock at its cancellation. She highlighted the hundreds of jobs that it created, from stand-ins to photo doubles. Despite its strong viewership, financial considerations played a significant role in the decision to cancel it. CBS reportedly spent $75 million per season on producing “NCIS: Hawaii,” making it a costly production. Competition from other filming locations with lower costs has led some productions to move away from Hawaii despite tax incentives offered by the state. More than 15,000 fans have signed a petition urging CBS to reconsider canceling it but may not be enough to change their minds.
The situation has prompted reflection on Hawaii’s film industry and discussions about state-of-the-art film studio in West Oahu. While these developments may take time to come into fruition, they hope they can help stimulate growth in the local film industry. Despite this setback of “NCIS: Hawaii” being canceled, there is a sense of determination among locals to address the challenges facing their industry and move forward towards a more sustainable future for their economy.