Fox canceled “Rescue HI-Surf” after one season, according to Deadline.
This means there will be no major TV series filming in Hawaii.
The lifeguard drama set on Oahu’s North Shore premiered in Sept. 2024 after a NFL double header and aired regularly on Mondays. Fox initially seemed to have high hopes for the John Wells-produced show, giving “Rescue HI-Surf” the coveted post-Super Bowl slot and ordering additional episodes for a season total of 19. But in Nov. 2024, Fox decided to change the post-Super Bowl show to the Season 3 premiere of game show “The Floor.” The cancellation of “Rescue HI-Surf” comes a little over a month after the show aired its season 1 finale on March 31.
The filming of the show contributed $65.6 million in direct spending to the local economy and employed 2,138 local cast and crew members, according to the Honolulu Film Office.
“‘Rescue HI-Surf’ was not just a job, it was a family day at the beach every day. The cast and crew, mostly local, made everyday fun and being on the North Shore made it magic,” said Ralph Malani, the hair department head for “Rescue HI-Surf,” who has worked on most major productions in Hawaii, including “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.”, “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Chief of War,” over the past 10 years.
“It’s sad that for the first time in my career I have no job prospects,” he added.
Deadline reported that “Rescue HI-Surf” amassed a loyal following, but may have been hurt by not having a well-known actor on the show to promote. The entertainment news site also said the show was among Fox’s most expensive series because it films in Hawaii. Fox’s plan to reboot “Baywatch” was not a factor in the cancellation, according to Deadline, which said the network had been considering airing one of the shows during the summer.
Since the Hollywood strikes in 2023, Hawaii’s film industry has struggled to recover. A bill that would’ve offered more tax credits to those who film in Hawaii died during the recent legislative session.
“The film industry here in Hawaii is for the moment nonexistent and that’s very scary,” said Malani. “I just hope that the state steps up and makes Hawaii competitive to bring more productions here.”
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at [email protected].
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from the Honolulu Film Office. (May 7, 2025)