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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.C.R. NO.            
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION
  REQUESTING THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399, STUDIO TRANSPORTATION
    DRIVERS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, TO ASSIST THE STATE IN
    MOVING THE TELEVISION SERIES "BAYWATCH" TO HAWAII.



 1        WHEREAS, a recent study conducted by Price-Waterhouse
 2   Coopers for the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported that, except
 3   for Japan, Hawaii had lost ground in all of its major tourist
 4   markets; and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, virtually all of Hawaii's competitors have seen
 7   overall arrival increases while Hawaii has seen arrival
 8   decreases or no changes during the same period; and
 9   
10        WHEREAS, the study also reported that in 1990, Hawaii had
11   up to 400,000 more visitors from the eastern United States than
12   it did in 1997; and
13   
14        WHEREAS, the State has a rare opportunity to recapture its
15   lost tourism market share by serving as the new setting for the
16   television series "Baywatch"; and
17   
18        WHEREAS, "Baywatch" is seen by 100 million people in 148
19   countries and is the most watched television program in the
20   world; and
21   
22        WHEREAS, "Baywatch" has a domestic viewership of 9.25
23   million weekly with 481 million viewers annually; and
24   
25        WHEREAS, because "Baywatch" is syndicated, it does not
26   depend on traditional network rating for survival and is
27   unlikely to be canceled quickly as were some past Hawaii-based
28   television programs; and
29   
30        WHEREAS, syndication also means the program may be aired
31   for years to come as reruns; and
32   
33        WHEREAS, "Baywatch" producers have plans for at least two
34   years of programs that may extend to six years, which could
35   mean expenditures of $34,300,000 or as much as $100,000,000
36   based on a cost of $780,000 per episode; and
37   

 
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                                  H.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        

 1        WHEREAS, the series would also generate substantial tax
 2   revenue for the State as well as create approximately two
 3   hundred new jobs; and
 4   
 5        WHEREAS, Hawaii may still face competition for the new
 6   site of "Baywatch" from Australia which is offering incentives
 7   that include free air fare, hotel rooms, production support and
 8   infrastructure, as well as $1,000,000 from the Australian
 9   government; and
10   
11        WHEREAS, it was reported that Hawaii officials, led by the
12   Governor has offered wage concessions to "Baywatch" producers
13   from four film and television production unions and a plan to
14   provide $1,700,000 in improvements to the Hawaii Film Studio at
15   Diamond Head and to Haleiwa Recreation Center; and
16   
17        WHEREAS, final approval of the "Baywatch" move to Hawaii
18   appears to rest with the Teamsters Union, Local 399 in Los
19   Angeles, California; and
20   
21        WHEREAS, any breach in protocol related to efforts by
22   Hawaii officials is more properly attributable to eagerness
23   rather than disrespect; now, therefore,
24   
25        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
26   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
27   of 1999, the Senate concurring, that the Teamsters Local 399,
28   Studio Transportation Drivers, Los Angeles, California, is
29   respectfully requested to assist the State of Hawaii in moving
30   the television series "Baywatch" to Hawaii; and
31   
32        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
33   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary-
34   Treasurer, Teamsters Local 399, Studio Transportation Drivers,
35   Los Angeles, California; the Governor; the Director of
36   Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the President of
37   the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau; and the Chairperson
38   of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
39 
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42                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________