The additional episodes would bring more than $9 million to the Hawai'i economy, said state film office manager Donne Dawson, who was told of the decision yesterday by Fox executives.

"We're thrilled for Fox and we are ecstatic for the state of Hawai'i," Dawson said. "This is good news for the industry as a whole."

The hour-long drama, which premiered in June, features life at a luxury hotel. Two other series being filmed in the Islands — ABC's "Lost" and NBC's "Hawai'i" — will premiere next month. A pilot for a fourth show, "Rocky Point," is about to begin filming.

Each show contributes about $1 million to $1.5 million per episode to the economy, said Walea Constantinau, Honolulu Film Office commissioner.

"North Shore" struggled with ratings earlier this summer, but added some big names, including Shannen Doherty who is already in the Islands.

"Fox has enough faith in the show and feels it is going in the right direction to they are going to continue with it and that is good for everyone," Constantinau said. "It is continued employment for people. It is continued visibility for the state on national television."