A Lot Once Alive, Now Still
It’s hard to imagine a place that once buzzed with cameras, crew vans and stars — and then falls so silent. One year after the sudden cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i in April 2024, veteran actor Jason Antoon has shared a video of the now-deserted studio lot in Honolulu. The location, once the backdrop of hits like Hawaii Five‑0 and Magnum P.I., now stands quiet, overgrown and full of weeds.
This article dives into the story behind the shuttered studio, explores what happened to the local industry, and asks: what does this moment tell us about the fragile business of TV production?
What Was the Studio and Why It Mattered
A Historic Filming Hub at the Foot of Diamond Head
The studio in question – Hawaii Film Studio, located in Honolulu – sits beneath the iconic Diamond Head crater. It spans around 7.5 acres, and for decades it was Hawaii’s go-to location for TV and film.
Big Name Shows Made Here
Before NCIS: Hawai’i, the facility hosted major productions including Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., and even earlier series like Lost. These shows brought jobs, tourism attention and a creative ecosystem.
Why It’s More Than a Backdrop
It wasn’t just a filming location. It was a micro-economy. Crews, local talent, hospitality, and related business all benefited. When the cameras stopped rolling, the pulse of that micro-economy slowed.
The Sudden End – What Went Wrong
Abrupt Cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i
In April 2024, CBS canceled NCIS: Hawai’i after three seasons. That in itself was a blow. But what followed was equally telling.
The Video That Said It All
Jason Antoon posted on his X account (formerly Twitter) a short video of the lot: “Hawaii Film Studios – Empty and full of weeds.” That message resonated: this wasn’t intentional downtime — this was abandonment.
Industry and Economic Shifts
For the first time in more than twenty years, Hawaii is hosting no TV series, putting the local production ecosystem under strain.
Incentives and Cost Pressure
Part of the story is financial. Hawaii’s tax credits for filming (22 % for Oʻahu, 27 % for other islands) still lag competitors. Some productions are relocating for cost savings.
A Broader Local Fallout
The empty lot became a symbol of wider disinvestment. Hundreds of crew jobs, local vendors, and ancillary businesses found themselves in limbo. The ripple effects go beyond the lot itself.
Jason Antoon’s Role – More than a Star
A Voice for the Crew
Jason Antoon played Ernie Malik on NCIS: Hawai’i. But his post-cancellation video shows he’s also speaking up for what’s happening behind the scenes. His message isn’t just personal — it carries community weight.
Personal Reflection Meets Public Reality
He said publicly: “This business is brutal and makes no sense. But we had soooo much fun. Love you all and mahalo.” That blend of gratitude and frustration lays bare the emotional cost of cancellations and abrupt endings.
A Snapshot of Loss
His footage of the overgrown lot captured something deeply symbolic: places once full of energy, now quiet. When public figures like Antoon show those images, they underscore that the impact is both artistic and economic.
The Visual of Abandonment – What You See vs What You Felt
Weeds, Empty Lots, and Lost Dreams
The visuals are stark: empty parking lots, dormant buildings, nothing but weeds where vendors and crew once bustled. It’s a metaphor come to life.
Beyond the Glamour
Television glamor often hides the infrastructure. The cameras don’t show the trucks, the set construction, the local overtime. When it vanishes, you do.
Why The Visual Resonation Works
Humans respond to change in the landscape. A once-active lot now silent tells us something deeper is happening. It evokes nostalgia and concern. And when the actor who helped animate the site shares the footage, it hits hard.
The Broader Impact on Hawaiian Film & TV
Job Losses and Talent Drain
According to industry reports, the lack of major productions means fewer stable jobs for local crew. One local union rep noted a “doldrum of no work pretty much since Magnum cancelled… NCIS cancelled.”
Economic Fallout Beyond the Set
It’s not just the studio. Hotels, restaurants, rental houses, transport providers all suffered. Productions bring money into local economies; without them the trickle becomes a trickle-out.
Cultural and Identity Considerations
Hawaii has long been a backdrop that reflected not only beaches but stories. When production leaves, storytelling roots weaken. Local voices may have fewer outlets.
Competition from Other Locations
States and countries offer aggressive incentives. When a locale loses its competitive edge, productions move. Hawaii’s relatively lower tax credits contribute to that shift.
What This Means for the Future of Television Production in Hawai’i
Will the Studio Stay Abandoned?
An empty lot doesn’t necessarily mean permanent closure, but without new productions and investment, it risks becoming a ghost. The next 12-24 months matter.
Change in Strategy Required
If Hawai’i wants to attract productions again, incentives, infrastructure, and competitive costs must be addressed. It’s not just about the land — it’s about the ecosystem.
The Role of Government and Policy
Governor Josh Green recently announced his intention to veto a bill that would sunset tax credits after five years—pointing to how policy can make or break production pipelines.
Opportunity for Local Innovation
With large scale productions gone, there may be an opening for independent creators, local filmmakers, and digital content to fill the vacuum. A creative pivot could turn loss into evolution.
Learning from This Episode – Lessons for Industry Players
The Fragility of Production Ecosystems
This situation reminds us that even major shows can end unexpectedly — and when they do, the infrastructure suffers. Plan for the long-term, not just the current shoot.
The Importance of Location Viability
Location isn’t just scenery—it’s tax credits, local workforce, logistics, culture. When any of those factors slip, the location becomes vulnerable.
Advocacy Matters
Actors like Jason Antoon speaking publicly raises awareness. For local workers, advocacy can drive policy changes. It shows that voices matter beyond the camera.
Reinvention as a Strategy
When an industry undergoes disruption, reinvention is key. For Hawai’i, that could mean shifting toward streaming, indie production, or hybrid models rather than relying solely on big network shoots.
What the Community Is Saying
Crew and Union Voices
Crew members and union reps report a downturn: “We’ve had such a doldrum of no work pretty much since … NCIS cancelled.” They express both concern and uncertainty for the next gigs.
Local Businesses Impacted
Vendors, caterers, equipment rental companies—all connected to production—find fewer orders, less consistent revenue. It’s a broad ripple effect.
Fans and Cultural Response
For fans of the shows, the empty lot has symbolic weight. It’s a reminder that some of the magic behind their favorite programs happened at that location—and now it’s gone dark.
Why This Story Resonates Beyond Hawai’i
Universal Themes of Change
This isn’t just a Hawaiian story—it’s about how industries evolve, how locations rise and fall, and how jobs tied to culture can be volatile.
The Intersection of Art and Economics
We tend to celebrate the art (TV shows, films) but forget the economics behind them. The Honolulu studio tells us: without the business side, art can vanish.
A Symbol for “What Comes After”
When a big show ends, the cameras pack up and the real world keeps moving. The empty set becomes a metaphor for endings we don’t always see coming.
What You Can Do If You Care
Support Local Content
Even if big network shows aren’t filming, local creators may be. Seek out, watch, share, and support them.
Stay Informed About Production Policies
Production incentives matter. Advocacy around tax credits and policy can help maintain jobs and culture at places like Hawaii’s film studio lot.
Explore Behind-the-Scenes Stories
The glimpse that Jason Antoon provided is a reminder that there’s more to entertainment than what we see on screen. Dive deeper, ask questions.
Encourage Sustainable Filming Models
Locations don’t thrive on one big hit alone. Sustainable, diversified models help communities stay resilient when cancellations hit.
Conclusion
One year after the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, the once thriving studio lot in Honolulu stands quiet and overgrown. Jason Antoon’s simple yet powerful video became a signpost for an industry in transition. The ripple effect echoes through the local economy, the workforce, and the identity of Hawaiʻi as a filming location. But this story doesn’t have to end in silence. With awareness, policy action, and creative reinvention, there remains a path forward — one that not only remembers what was lost, but builds something new in its place.
