April Masini: The Political Activist

In political advocacy role, successfully conceived, created, developed and drafted proposed legislation with multiple goals:

• to promote, enhance/expand production in Hawaii
• diversify the economy and drive revenue for state and private-sector coffers
• advertise/market Hawaii around the world
• to supply creative opportunities and establish internship opportunities.

Researched, compiled and analyzed public-fund entertainment incentives from multiple American states and three other nations to document valid conclusions and create effective, influential presentations and proposals. Presented proposals to Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, the legislature and the public, successfully acquiring their buy-in and support.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Instrumental in drafting, securing passage and subsequently pioneering utilization of three separate win-win pieces of legislation, SB1958, HB2960, and Act 221.
• Demonstrated exceptional visionary leadership as the first to initiate, package and close transactions utilizing each newly enacted piece of TV and film production legislation:
  • Usage of SB1958 as demonstrated with the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant.
  • Baywatch set the standard for utilizing HB2960 in conjunction with SB1958.
  • Blue Crush from Imagine Entertainment (Ron Howard/Brian Grazer) and Universal Studios, established the usage of Act 221.
• Established criteria/standards and determined qualification to receive benefits provided under legislation.
• Enacted primary rule that TV/film productions seeking to maximize available incentives must promote Hawaii (feeding state’s #1 industry, tourism) while creating high-paying jobs for local residents (including mandating local actors in lead roles), in addition to stimulating and diversifying the economy.