Committee backs film studio business plan and sister‑state ties with Okayama and Yamagata

The House ECD committee on March 27 heard multiple items tying cultural exchange and industry development to economic opportunity, including HR27 (a three‑year business plan for Hawaii Film Studios) and sister‑state resolutions with Okayama and Yamagata prefectures.

Rick Manayan, speaking on behalf of DBEDT Creative Industries, said the department submitted written testimony in support of HR27 and urged the committee to pass the measure so DBEDT can move forward on a planning timeline for the film studios.

Dennis Link, a DBEDT official, told the committee HCR36 and HCR197 have strong cultural and historical ties with Okayama and Yamagata prefectures and highlighted potential exchanges in education, agriculture and culinary sectors. "There are very strong government-to-government support and people-to-people connections," Link said.

Milton Kwok of the Hawaii Yamagata Kien Jinkai stood on his written testimony and said he had received a letter of support from Governor Yoshimura of Yamagata and left copies for committee members.

Members pressed on concrete economic opportunities. One committee member asked whether DBEDT has price or market data to help entrepreneurs identify import or export opportunities; DBEDT said it does not have that specialized list but that its research and economic analysis division could explore options. Discussions focused on Suihime (a super‑premium rice variety) and other specialty products, and private sector partners such as Sun Noodle and a rice factory were cited as active in bringing premium Japanese rice varieties to Hawai‘i.

Why it matters: The measures link cultural exchange to local economic development — from film production planning to agricultural and tourism partnerships — and the committee’s passage will allow DBEDT and partner organizations to pursue planned exchanges and business planning.

The committee recommended and then voted to pass HR27, HCR36, HCR197/HR187 and related measures as is; votes were recorded with members present voting aye and Representative Tam excused for the remainder of the hearing.