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"Aloha" premiers at JBPHH

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  "Aloha," the Cameron Crowe-directed movie which filmed on JBPHH in 2013, premiered at the Memorial Base Theater here May 17.

Though the movie features a host of well-known Hollywood stars portraying what life for Airmen and their families living and working on JBHH is like, the movie would not have been possible had it not been for the real Team Hickam Airmen and their families who supported the production.

In addition to providing a number of the movie's background characters and supporting roles, the base  also provided air assets like the C-17 III Globemaster and F-22 Raptor that were used in the film.  The production crew was also granted access to base real estate such as the Officer's Club, Fort Kameahaha housing, the flightline and the Pacific Air Forces commander's office, which also appeared in the movie.

"By supporting movie productions on base the Air Force and DoD are able to increase their outreach to national and international audiences," said Master Sgt. Christopher Stagner, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Entertainment Liaison Office superintendent. "Arguably, one of the greatest forms of outreach we have is the entertainment complex."

Stagner said the relationship between the Department of Defense and production companies looking to film on military bases is a mutually beneficial one that comes at no additional cost to American tax payers.

By giving production companies access to base and military subject matter experts, movies give a more authentic and realistic portrayal of service members, while also serving as a free recruitment tool for the DoD.

According to Stagner, a scene of "Aloha" actress Emma Stone climbing into the cockpit of an F-22 might give a little girl watching something new to aspire to and set her on a path to becoming an Air Force fighter pilot.

During the movie's premier on base, attendees were treated to free concessions and entertainment from a local dance company, followed by a guest appearance by one of the movies' executive producers, Ilona Herzberg.

"Thank you for coming out today, and thank you for all that you are, and all that you do," she greeted the audience. "It was an honor to be amongst you for a brief time while we made the film ... to work with so many of you who we will always remember and to film on this amazing base."

Though the movie's director, Crowe, was unable to attend the on-base premier, he made sure to send along his appreciation for Team Hickam's support.

"From all of us who were lucky enough to work with you and share your inspiration and your love of your jobs, your home and your families ... thank you," he wrote in an open letter to the base. "We spent every day in the editing room appreciating the riches you gave us when we visited and brought our cameras and inquisitive minds and you opened up the world to us. Thank you and much love and warmest aloha to all of you!"

"Aloha" opens in theaters May 29.