Coming in from Hollywood this summer will be the cast and crew from Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Caribbean — On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the action adventure tale. LIHU‘E — Yo, ho, ho and a bottle
Coming in from Hollywood this summer will be the cast and crew from Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Caribbean — On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the action adventure tale.
LIHU‘E — Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum.
Beware Kaua‘i, pirates will be descending upon the island this summer. But have no fear, they won’t be making locals walk the plank.
Coming in from Hollywood this summer will be the cast and crew from Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Caribbean — On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the action adventure tale.
“This will be a great boost to our economy and another promotion for Kaua‘i’s visitor industry at a time when it is very much needed,” Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said in a written statement.
Bringing the movie to the island was a collaborative effort dating back to November 2009, said Kaua‘i Film Commissioner Art Umezu.
Umezu received a call from the Los Angeles production office “looking for resources on island,” he said. “Shortly thereafter, Kaua‘i-based film location specialist, Karen ‘KK’ Greenlee was brought on board to assist in location scout work on the island.”
While earlier reports stated that some $85 million could potentially be generated for the state, Umezu said it is often difficult to judge just how much income will be produced on Kaua‘i prior to arrival.
“We are sure it will be a boost to our economy and look forward to the arrival of the production team,” he said Friday.
However, “Tropic Thunder” — which filmed on island in 2007 — created about $68 million in expenditures throughout the 10 months of scouting, pre-production, filming and break-down, he cited as an example. Businesses which benefited from the production included hotels, vacation rentals, car rental agencies, construction companies, catering companies and grocery stores, Umezu said.
In addition, more than 300 local extras were hired.
No one can be certain yet just how many jobs could potentially be generated for the film “Pirates of the Caribbean — On Stranger Tides,” said Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho.
Either way, accommodations such as hotels and vacation rentals will profit from the filming, she said.
“Most productions choose a host hotel to work out of and then spread their crew and talent in neighboring properties or vacation rentals,” Kanoho said. “Regardless of where they stay, it will definitely generate income for accommodations around the island.”
Unsure of how long the cast and crew will stay or exactly when they will arrive, Kanoho said she is “hopeful we can have them as long as possible.”
“We are aware that they will also be filming on O‘ahu during their stay, so are hopeful we can garner a good portion of their stay here on the Garden Isle.”
Kama‘aina will be notified in advance if any traffic or residential impacts are expected to occur, she added.
“Our long history with Hollywood continues to be an important part of our island and we look forward to welcoming this production to Kaua‘i,” Kanoho said.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
