The Hawaii Film Studio will be able to move forward with some much-needed repairs, thanks to the release of an additional $3.5 million in state funds announced Monday.

The money is in addition to $1.7 million Gov. Neil Abercrombie released last fiscal year for improvements at the facility near Diamond Head where the TV series "Hawaii Five-0" is filmed.

The Hawaii Film Office is working with Group 70 International, a local architectural firm, to prioritize numerous repairs needed at the studio, which dates from 1975 and the original "Hawaii Five-0" series. The funds also will be used to construct a new production and multipurpose building to support film operations.

"The Hawaii Film Studio is the only film facility of its kind in the state and is a critically important piece of Hawaii’s production industry," said Donne Dawson, Hawaii film commissioner. "This CIP (capital improvement project) will go a long way to help us achieve the next phase of much-needed improvements for this aging facility."

"There are many more issues that need improvement than we have money for," Dawson added. "And the fact that we have a sitting tenant — ‘Hawaii Five-0′ — makes it very challenging to do this work."

A large chunk of the work will be done in May and June when "Five-0" is on a break from filming, she said. Crews will replace the heavy double doors to the soundstage with lighter doors that roll up, Dawson said. Also, about one-third of the asphalt at the facility will be replaced. More work will be done during the same period in 2015, she said.

"Everything has to be ready to go. The contractor is going to have to make efficient use of every day they have available to them," Dawson said.

"Five-0" moved into the studio in July to begin shooting its fourth season after it was forced to leave its previous production location in the former Hono­lulu Advertiser building. The building was sold to a developer who is building high-rise condominiums at the site.