Filming and Photography Guidelines and Permits

In most cases, a permit is not required for casual visitor activities. There are some circumstances when a permit is needed for still photography and commercial filming.

NPS Photo

 

Lands of the United States were set aside by Congress, Executive Order, or otherwise acquired in order to conserve and protect areas of untold beauty and grandeur, historical importance, and uniqueness for future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive photo apparatus. It was the sharing of these images that led to the designation of these areas as national parks and monuments. Visitors to national parks today continue to memorialize their visits through videos and photographs.

You must allow 10 business days for the park to process your request.

 

Commercial Filming

Effective October 28, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) has rescinded interim guidance that was in place during litigation regarding commercial filming and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks.

How do I apply for a permit?

Contact the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park film permit coordinator by phone at [phone] or email to discuss your project. You should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible, but at least 10 business days in advance. Early consultation with park staff helps us process the submitted application in a timely manner.

Links to the applications are below. Use the short form for simple and short duration projects; use the other form for more complicated projects. Submit the completed application by email at least 10 business days ahead of your proposed dates in the park.

Application for Film Special Use Permit (Short Form)

Application for Film Special Use Permit

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for most commerical filming permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following commerical filming fee schedule:

1 – 2 people, camera and tripod only $0/day
1 - 10 people $150/day
11 - 30 people $250/day
31 - 49 people $500/day
Over 50 people $750/day

Are there other permit requirements like insurance?

Once your application is reviewed, you may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

If insurance is required:

• A certificate of insurance (COI) must be issued by a United States company in the name of the permittee and not the applicant.
• The United States must be listed as an “additional insured” on the face of the COI.
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park must be as the certificate holder.
• The COI and the endorsement page must be received by the park before the start of the permitted activity.
• An electronic certificate will be accepted.
• Minimum insurance requirement is $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate

Filming in Wilderness Areas

The National Park Service manages and protects more than 67 million acres of park lands and waters as wilderness areas. These areas have additional laws and policies to preserve their wilderness character for future generations. Filming activities in wilderness areas must follow all applicable laws and regulations that govern wilderness areas in the park, including prohibitions on structures, installations, motor vehicles, mechanical transport, motorized equipment, motorboats, or landing of aircrafts.

Except for casual filming by visitors, special use permits for filming are required for all filming activities in wilderness areas, no matter the group size or equipment used.

Still Photography

When is a permit needed?

Still photographers require a permit only when:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
2. the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
3. a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

How do I apply for a permit?

Contact the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park film permit coordinator by phone at [phone] or email to discuss your project. You should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible, but at least 10 business days in advance. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner.

Application for Still Photography (Short Form)

Application for Still Photography

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for some still photography permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following still photography fee schedule:

• 1–10 people - $50/day
• 11–30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Are there other permit requirements?

You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

Commercial film and still photography permits prohibit:

• Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is prohibited.
• Harassment or introduction of wildlife.
• Altering, moving, cutting, or defacing any geological, natural, or cultural resource.
• Entry into closed areas including Halema'uma'u or onto newly created land called deltas.
• Digging in the ground or removal of natural features.
• Entry into all lava tubes, except for Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube).
• Nudity.
• Filming of areas considered sacred to the Hawaiian people, unless filming is strictly for cultural, educational, or scientific purposes including Halema'uma'u (Kaluaopele)
• Filming of scene(s) disrespectful to the Hawaiian culture including the prodding of flowing lava.
• Landing of any non-official aircraft.
• Smoking in buildings, on trails or in vegetated areas.
• The closure of areas to the public for filming
• Gunfire, explosions, pyrotechnics or special effects, or fires.
• The filming of an activity in an area not normally designated for that activity.
• Use of vehicles off established roads and parking areas.
• Use of any foreign substance i.e. insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Please remember, it is the parkʻs responsibility to protect the natural, cultural, and recreational resources for which we are stewards of and responsible for. We cannot accommodate a project if it should include any of the above.

A request for permit may be denied if in the opinion of the Superintendent:

• There is a likelihood that resource damage or impairment of their value would occur that cannot be mitigated or restored.
• There is a likelihood of unreasonable disruption of or conflict with the public's use and enjoyment of the site(s) being requested.
• There is the likelihood that the activity poses health or safety risks to the public or crew.
• The requested activity will violate any other Federal, State, or local laws or regulations.
• Other activities are already planned or expected to occur at the same location.
• It involves access to areas normally designated closed or limited to administrative use for resource or safety reasons.
• The project includes portrayal of activities that aren't culturally appropriate or not permitted.

 

---

Aerial Filming & Photography

All aerial filming and photography must comply with applicable provisions of the Special Federal Aviation Regulation 50-2. All contracted companies must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is prohibited.

 

---

Eruption Filming

The current eruption of Kīlauea is a unique and dynamic process. If you are considering filming the activity, first consult the USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory website where you will find daily updates, maps, and images of what is currently occurring. This information can be found at https://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php.

Contact Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for access restrictions as active vents and lava flows are often in closed areas. The park does not allow film or photography crews access to closed areas.

 

---

Additional Filming Contacts

All production crews should contact both the State and County of Hawai'i film offices when filming in the islands. Their websites are as follows:

• State of Hawai'i film office: http://www.hawaiifilmoffice.com/
• County of Hawai'i film office: http://www.filmbigisland.com/

These offices assist with permits for State and County lands, location scouts, cast and crew, incentives and more.

 

---

Questions or Assistance

If you have questions, please contact:

Film Permit Coordinator
Phone: [phone]
Or email us.