Honolulu made strides in youth labor rights as Governor Josh Green signed House Bill 874 into law, establishing protections for the earnings of child and youth performers in Hawaii's entertainment sectors. During an event highlighted by the presence of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" live-action film star Maia Kealoha, the Governor confirmed Hawai‘i's commitment to this vulnerable workforce, according to the Office of the Governor press release.
Focused on preventing mismanagement and exploitation, the newly signed legislation, Act 173, requires the establishment of a trust fund for the performers under the guidance of their parents or legal guardians, prior to the onset of their employment. A minimum of 15% of the child's gross earnings must be transferred to this fund by any employer, Green highlighted during the signing. These steps echo prior actions taken in states such as California, with its Coogan Law, designed to ensure similar protections, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
"Hawai‘i is fortunate to have so much emerging talent making it to the big stage," Governor Green said. "By signing HB 874 into law, we are committing not only to protecting local talent, but also supporting keiki who are entering and pursuing a career in entertainment by enforcing measures that protect their earnings from misuse." His words underscore a growing recognition of the unique challenges facing child artists, as sttaed by the Office of the Governor.
In response to the law's enactment, Representative Mike Lee, responsible for introducing the bill, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. "This law will protect Hawai‘i’s keiki performers by ensuring that a portion of their income is set aside in a trust they can access when they become an adult," Lee said. "Mahalo to the community advocates who supported this bill." His statement underscores the collective effort behind Hawai‘i's legislative progress, as per the Office of the Governor.
Celebrating the legislation, young actress Maia Kealoha shared her appreciation for the protections it affords to her and her peers. "Getting to be part of a Disney movie has been a dream come true — but it’s also a job. I’m really happy that Hawai‘i now has a law to help protect kids like me who are working in movies or shows. It means that when we grow up, we'll have something saved for our future," Kealoha told the Office of the Governor at the event.
Further asserting his advocacy for the state's film industry, Governor Green discussed his intention to veto a bill that would limit tax credits for film production. He sees value in nurturing a film landscape that resonates with local culture and possesses a connection to Hawai‘i. "I’d like to see a bill crafted that expands the credit for films that focus on local culture or have a local Hawai‘i connection, or have cultural significance," he expressed, signaling a desire for the industry's continuous growth in the state, as noted by the Office of the Governor.
