Meta Title: “That Is Mad Lowkey” — Jason Momoa & Andy Samberg’s Hawaii Film Pact Sparks Million-Dollar Policy Shift
Meta Description: Hollywood meets Honolulu! Discover how Jason Momoa and Andy Samberg’s secret Netflix project, “Protecting Jared,” just forced Governor Josh Green into a massive million-dollar tax credit change for Hawaii.
“That Is Mad Lowkey” — Why Jason Momoa’s Secret Hawaii Film Pact With Andy Samberg Just Forced Governor Josh Green To Make A Massive Million Dollar Change
In the high-speed world of 2026, where every celebrity move is tracked by drones and digital footprints, Jason Momoa just pulled off the ultimate stealth mission. While the internet was busy obsessing over his “Main Character Energy” gifts to the Van Der Beek family, Momoa was quietly brokering a deal that is about to change the entire economic landscape of his home state, Hawaii.
The phrase of the hour on social media? “That is mad lowkey.” What started as a whispered “handshake deal” at an SNL afterparty between Momoa and comedy legend Andy Samberg has officially spiraled into a political earthquake. It’s a story of “Protecting Jared,” protecting the islands, and a million-dollar pivot by Governor Josh Green that no one saw coming.
The Secret “Pact”: When Aquaman Met Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The origin story of this project is pure Hollywood gold. According to insiders, after Momoa literally “spun Samberg around like a rag doll” at a late-night celebration, the two realized they shared a singular vision: bringing massive, high-budget production back to Hawaii—but doing it indigenously.
They formed a secret pact to develop “Protecting Jared,” an action-comedy where Momoa plays a local security guard forced to protect a “despised tech billionaire” (Samberg) during a kidnapping plot on Oahu.
The Power Play: Momoa and Samberg aren’t just the stars; they are the producers.
The Mission: Momoa reportedly refused to film unless the production used a 100% local crew and funneled profits back into Hawaiian conservation.
The Catch: Hawaii’s existing tax laws weren’t designed for the “streaming era” giants like Netflix to play by these rules.
The “Savage” Ultimatum That Shook the State House
As pre-production for Protecting Jared geared up for its February 2026 start date, a major roadblock hit: the state’s annual tax credit cap.
Hawaii’s film industry was at a “crucial juncture.” For years, big-budget films had been fleeing to Georgia or New Zealand because Hawaii’s $50 million aggregate cap was “bottom-of-the-barrel.” Momoa, staying true to his “Chief of War” reputation, reportedly made it clear—if the state didn’t modernize, the production (and its millions in local spending) might have to find a “Hawaii lookalike” elsewhere.
The thought of losing a Momoa-Samberg blockbuster was too much for the local economy to bear.
Governor Josh Green’s Million-Dollar Pivot
Faced with the “lowkey” pressure from Hawaii’s favorite son, Governor Josh Green didn’t just blink—he acted. In a stunning legislative move this March, the Governor threw his weight behind HB1635 and HB1498, sparking a “Massive Million Dollar Change” to the state’s film tax structure.
| The Change | The Impact |
| The Cap Increase | Pushing the per-production limit from $17M to a staggering $25M. |
| Streaming Synergy | Explicitly adding “Internet-only” and “Streaming Platforms” to the credit list. |
| The GET Exemption | Removing the 4% tax on employee wages for film projects, saving millions in “red tape” costs. |
| Infrastructure | A new 5% bonus for using facilities built on state land (The “Momoa Clause”). |
Governor Green’s 2026 State of the State address confirmed the vision: Hawaii isn’t just a backdrop anymore; it’s a competitor. By modernizing these credits, the Governor is projected to boost the State’s GDP by over $14 million in the first year alone.
“That Is Mad Lowkey”: Why Fans are Hyped
The internet is buzzing because this wasn’t a loud, angry protest. It was a “lowkey” power move. Momoa used his “Protecting Jared” project as leverage to ensure that every local filmmaker, crew member, and small business owner in Hawaii gets a bigger piece of the pie.
“Jason didn’t go on a rant. He just showed the Governor the numbers,” says a source close to the Department of Business and Economic Development. “He proved that if you build the right tax home for these stars, they will bring the world to the islands.”
The “Main Character” Wins Again
While the headlines focus on the comedy of Samberg and the muscles of Momoa, the real story is the “Million Dollar Change.” Because of a secret film pact, Hawaii is now one of the most competitive filming locations on the planet.
As cameras begin to roll on Oahu this month, the Van Der Beek family isn’t the only one benefiting from the industry’s heart. The entire state of Hawaii just got a “Legacy Gift” from Jason Momoa—and he did it without ever breaking his “lowkey” cool.