Creating a TV show or movie is no small feat—there are tons of roles on set, from production assistants to extras, and all those people need to get paid. That’s why filming in a specific location can be a game-changer for the local community. Case in point: Oahu’s North Shore, where Rescue: Hi-Surf has been making waves in the surfing world, not just in ratings but in job opportunities and cash flow.

The North Shore, with a population of just under 29,000, has seen a major boost in employment and revenue since Rescue: Hi-Surf premiered on September 22nd. The show, which follows the town’s lifeguards saving tourists from the world’s most dangerous waves, isn’t just a hit with viewers—it’s turning the local economy around too.

According to a press release from Hawaii’s Department of Business and Economic Tourism, Rescue: Hi-Surf has hired over 2,100 locals for various cast and crew roles, with each employee making an average of $15,000. That’s a pretty sweet paycheck, especially for a small town. In total, the show has injected a whopping $31.75 million into the community.

Filming, which started in January and wrapped up in June, wasn’t just a Hollywood production using its own crew—it was a full-on collaboration with the local folks, and the results are clearly paying off. So, while the show’s lifeguards are saving lives on screen, Rescue: Hi-Surf is also rescuing the local economy, proving that sometimes Hollywood can make a splash for all the right reasons.

Talking about this to KHON2, Brian Keaulana, a pioneer of Hawaiian water safety who is also a producer on the show, said, “This is not Baywatch.” He added, “This is real about local families, about us as lifeguards, what we deal with on a daily basis, and the lives that we’ve changed, the lives that we saved.”

According to the statement from the government, the production spent tons of money on food, lodging, equipment, and other services, boosting local businesses by about $33.85 million. The show is also giving local interns the chance to work hands-on in the industry, which helps them learn and grow their skills. Thus, the producers mean a huge deal to the local people. However, their hiring of crew members is not only limited to assistant jobs. One of the episode’s filmmakers is also from their community.

The surfing show hires filmmakers from the local community

The producers of Rescue: Hi-Surf gave a major creative lifeline to Oahu local Erin Lau, handing her the reins to direct the seventh episode of the surfing drama, which aired on Fox on November 4th, 2024. She’s already won awards and had her work shown at over 50 film festivals around the world. Her work is also featured at programs like the Sundance Native Lab and the Criterion Channel In fact, her short film Inheritance won a major award at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival in 2022. So, getting to direct this Rescue: HI-Surf episode is a huge deal for her. But directing a TV series was a whole new adventure!

Lau’s style is all about deep, emotional stories, often exploring themes of redemption and legacy. So, when it came time for her to take the director’s chair on Rescue: Hi-Surf, she was more than ready to bring her unique touch to the show. Her episode focused on an influencer who, while trying to film himself surfing, gets swept away by the powerful ocean—a perfect mix of drama, action, and the very real danger of the North Shore.

When speaking about the opportunity, Erin Lau shared her gratitude, saying, “I am incredibly grateful for the support from our local film community and the collective of organizations and advocates that have helped me grow as a filmmaker and are empowering even more voices.” She continued, “Opportunities like this are essential for our emerging artists, and I’m thrilled to be part of ʻRescue: HI-Surf’ as it celebrates Hawaii’s creatives and stories.”

It’s refreshing to see a TV show that doesn’t just focus on its success but also invests in the local community, offering real opportunities for homegrown talent. Shows like this one are proof that when production companies give back to the places they film, it creates a win-win situation for everyone. Here’s hoping this trend continues to grow, giving even more emerging artists the chance to shine on a global stage!