Hilo (Hawaii), July 23 (AP): Hawaii is in the middle of a film boom after a three-year dry spell without any major motion picture shoots.

Following a worldwide search, Hawaii was cast as a South American rain forest in the fourth installment of ``Indiana Jones,'' just as it was in the first installment ``Raiders of the Lost Ark.''

Ben Stiller's ``Tropic Thunder'' is being filmed on Kauai. And earlier this year, the romantic comedy ``Forgetting Sarah Marshall'' and ``Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End'' filmed in the state.

``We've had a lot of success shooting in the Hawaiian Islands,'' said Kathleen Kennedy, executive producer of the still untitled ``Indiana Jones'' film. ``I think once we started looking at the various locations and logistics involved in going other places, it just made sense to come back here.''

Hawaii's TV and film industry this year could break the banner year in 2004 when a record $164 million (euro118.8 million) was spent, mostly from three network TV series, state film commissioner Donne Dawson said. Of the group, only ABC's castaway drama ``Lost'' has survived.

``It's been the busiest we've had in a long time,'' Dawson said.

Industry officials say a major reason for the increase in activity is the state's new tax credit that boosted the state's 4 percent production tax credit to 15 percent on Oahu and 20 percent on other islands.

The tax credit, capped at $8 million (euro5.8 million) per production, was implemented a year ago to compete with other film-friendly states with similar incentives such as New Mexico, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Arizona and Connecticut.

A total of 27 productions that are expected to spend $127 million (euro92 million) have applied for the tax credits, since the program began July 1, 2006. That does not include ``Indiana Jones,'' which is spending $15 million (euro10.9 million) here and has hired more than 120 locals. But producers of the action adventure say they will take advantage of the credits.

``That really tipped the balance over for coming here,'' said Frank Marshall, the film's producer.

There were other factors including: access to available hotel rooms, experienced crew, equipment and access to the airport. However, the main selling point was the scenery.

Indy IV's creators were looking for ``old-growth jungle,'' and the options were limited.

``After looking in probably 14 or 15 countries, a couple of states, here we are,'' said Mike Fantasia, the film's location manager. ``We found a couple of locations here we couldn't match anywhere else.''

But there is a price for a piece of paradise. Production costs are about 20 percent higher in Hawaii.

Challenges include shipping costs and the availability of crew. Indiana Jones has spent $2 million (euro1.45 million) to $3 million (euro2.17 million) alone on shipping everything from trailers and props to generators and lights. They are also using crew members from ``Lost.''

According to the Hawaii Film Office, the state has played host to more than 200 movies since 1913.