The state's refundable tax credit is also a lure, especially since it was increased nearly two years ago to make Hawaii more competitive with other tropical locations. Major films shot recently in Hawaii include The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water, Jurassic World, Aloha and the remake of Point Break. TV series Hawaii Five-O has been based in the state for the past five years. Production has increased since the state introduced its incentive a decade ago, but spending dipped slightly in 2014 to $223m, down from $229m in 2013.

GOOD TO KNOW

A common tradition in Hawaii is to have a blessing performed by a kahu, or priest, on the first day of shooting at a particular location. Also, when shooting in a place that's as green as Hawaii, you will inevitably find rain.

THE LOWDOWN

Financial Incentives

A refundable tax credit on Hawaii expenditures on qualified film, TV, commercial or digital media projects. The credit is 20% on Oahu, the most populous of the state's islands, and 25% on the neighbouring islands, with a per- project cap of $15m.

Further information filmoffice.hawaii.gov/incentives-tax-credits

Infrastructure

The workforce is three crews deep and the state has several local chapters of the major film labour unions. The state-owned Hawaii Film Studio in Honolulu, Oahu, is mostly occupied by TV series Hawaii Five-O. Lokahi Studios is in development on the Big Island, but the future of the planned Aloha Film Studios on Maui is unclear.

Locations

Beaches, jungle, volcanoes (extinct and active), the scenic Kualoa Ranch and historic Pearl Harbor. …