Donne Dawson, the veteran leader of the Hawaii Film Office, is set to retire from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on April 30, 2026, wrapping a 25-year stretch at the center of the state’s on-screen boom. Over that quarter century, she handled statewide film permitting and ran the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head, work that helped pull a steady stream of major productions to the islands.
The move was first reported by Hawaii News Now, which noted that Gov. Josh Green praised Dawson for blending “industry savvy” with a careful eye on Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka also credited her with leaving “a valuable foundation” for the film and TV industry, the outlet reported.
What she built
According to a press release from DBEDT, Dawson spent about 15 years in journalism and media relations before heading to the department in 1995 as deputy communications director. She returned in 2001 to take over the Hawaii Film Office after Georgette Deemer’s retirement. The agency says she oversaw nearly $20 million in capital improvements and the day-to-day operations at the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head, turning the facility into a reliable home base for visiting productions.
DBEDT noted that Dawson was named its manager of the year in 2008 and helped guide the office through the tricky pandemic-era restart, helping bring big series back to filming in Hawai‘i while health rules and travel restrictions were constantly shifting.
Industry momentum and policy
Dawson’s exit comes as state lawmakers and industry groups try to fine-tune Hawaii’s film tax credits to keep more work, especially post-production, on island. A March report on tax perks to lure Hollywood back detailed bills that would bump up base credits and add bonuses for indigenous content and high local-hire rates. Those are changes Dawson and other advocates have argued are key to protecting local jobs.
Transition plan
In its announcement, DBEDT said it will recruit for the Hawaii Film Industry Development Manager role and that, starting May 1, the Creative Industries Division, the department’s Tax Credit Unit and Hawaii Film Office staff will work together to keep services running without interruption. The release also listed Laci Goshi as the media contact for the transition.
“My motto in life has always been to lead with aloha,” Dawson said, adding that she is proud of the legacy she leaves, Hawaii News Now reported. Colleagues and local producers say her tenure helped sharpen Hawai‘i’s reputation as a film-friendly destination while consistently pushing visiting productions to respect local communities and culture.
