Jason Momoa 'Chief of War' Filming Shuts Down Farmers Market, Hawaii Locals Upset
Jason Momoa Shutters Farmers Market For Filming ... Hawaii Vendors Frustrated
UPDATE
1:45 PM PT -- 11/30 -- The manager of the land, Sam Keli'iho'omalu, tells TMZ ... they gave Kaimu Farmer's Market 3 months' notice for when the land would be used for filming for "Chief of War" and two locations where they could have the market, but they declined. The land belongs to the state and Sam says Jason went through the right process to get permission for production from the state of Hawaii. Sam claims local Hawaiian's are in full support of Jason Momoa and the "Chief of War" film.
UPDATE
10:44 AM PT -- The manager of the market tells us the production crew is not reimbursing the market or the vendors for the time off, saying, "We have not been in conversation with them at all as they are leasing the property from the property managers just as we lease the property for the Saturday market. We were told about 6 weeks ago that the property manager was not allowing us to hold the market on the 3rd of December and about 3 weeks ago informed us that we would not be using the property for the 3rd or the 10th. We were not given a choice."
UPDATE
They continue, "It hits us farmer's the worst because we now have no venue to sell eggs, for instance. The chickens keep laying whether we have a market or not."
Jason Momoa's new series is not a hit in Hawaii ... folks there are upset a local farmers market is being shut down due to filming, and they're taking it out on the actor.
Jason's filming an Apple TV+ production called "Chief of War" on Hawaii's big island, and the Kaimu Farmer's Market appears to be one of the casualties.
The farmer's market is only open on Saturdays and the 76 vendors were informed the market area will be closed for two consecutive Saturdays in December ... with the market saying it's because Jason's film crew requested the area for filming.
The Facebook page for the Kaimu Farmer's Market is being flooded with comments about the announcement, with vendors expressing frustration about being unable to sell their goods because of the movie, especially so close to the holidays.
Folks are ripping Jason, blaming him for taking away their livelihoods during the biggest time of the year and blasting him for being "out of touch."
Vendors are also seeking compensation, with some wanting the film crew to pony up some dough for lost revenue. It's unclear if the studio or production company is compensating the owners of the market, but typically they would get something.
We've reached out to Jason's camp, the studio and Kaimu Farmer's Market.
Originally Published -- 11/28 9:38 AM PT
