Pacific Islanders make up 1.4 million of the US population with 0.4% being Native Hawaiian. Latest statistics show 355,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) live in the State of Hawaii, with 52% of Native Hawaiians relocated to other states, due to lack of opportunity and high living costs. Despite the large number of TV and Film productions filming in Hawai'i, NHPI population is still the smallest percentage represented in the overall entertainment industry.
ICAN’s focus is to help create opportunities in work force development, build infrastructure and establish placement goals by amplifying training with extensive ongoing master classes, by bridging connections beyond Hawaii.
ICAN IN 2023
Video by @yourmug
“Life Changing” ”Community"
These are the key words ICAN students are using to describe the inaugural program: Phase 1 of Mana I Ka Mana. ICAN held its first culmination on December 10, 2023 on Oahu at Entrepreneur’s Sandbox/Hub Hawaii, celebrating 16 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander acting students who completed 7 acting intensives from October - December. This initial program focused on the industry connection between New Zealand and Hawaii. Maori actor-coaches Cliff Curtis, Rena Owen, program director, Te’ao O Hinepehina and from "NCIS Hawaii”, Alex Tarrant and wife/team Luci Hare brought expertise of their craft and shared stories of their journey as a Pacific Islander actor in the film industry. The “Chief of War” cast including Tongan actress, Luciane Buchanan from “Night Agent” and Hawaii’s own Sisa Grey, Brandon Finn, Moses Goods and Ioane Goodhue (“Next Goal Wins”) also joined the actor-coach team and trained the students with their own style of discipline, including integrating culture and ‘olelo into the structure. Beyond elevating the craft, these mentorships brought access and personal guidance allowing ICAN students to thrive in building confidence, bringing personal experiences into their craft and realizing their potential not only as actors but as humans. With the support amongst the students - both in and out of class - was born a COMMUNITY.
ICAN welcomed guest speakers Director/EP Larry Teng, LA Casting Director Michelle Wade Byrd, Hawaii’s own Casting Directors Katie Doyle and Rachel Sutton, and LA Talents Agent Jovan Meredith and Rob Cassandro. Bridging connections on a global scale is integral to ICAN’s programs. We will continue to provide access to top industry professionals while creating opportunities for work force development and bringing visibility and awareness to diversity in our industry.
ICAN’s writer invitational launched in late 2023, led by Thomas “Pa’a” Sibbett, Co-creator, Writer, EP of “Chief of War”. This writers COMMUNITY will open up in Spring 2024.
Our Organization
Find out about our mission and goals, and meet the film industry veterans who founded ICAN.
Come To Our Workshops!
Ready to take the next step? Come to one of our workshops to learn from professionals as we provide tools and networks to aid in the journey of becoming effective practitioners in film and television.