Hawaiʻi is trying to claw back film production work it lost in recent years, and this time it's betting on training local talent, not just tax breaks.

• A local arts group called ICAN is training Hawaiʻi residents in filmmaking by having experienced workers mentor newer ones on real productions.
• Lawmakers expanded the state's film tax credit this year to compete with places like Canada and New Zealand, with an extra bonus for productions that hire mostly local crews.
• The idea is that tax breaks alone just attract outside productions, while a trained local workforce makes sure Hawaiʻi residents actually get the jobs.
• ICAN points to a small locally made short film as proof the training is working, with local people now writing, directing, and acting in their own projects.

Outlook: Hawaiʻi's film industry comeback will depend on whether the bigger tax incentives succeed in drawing major productions back while local training programs keep expanding.