‘American Idol’ plans
Waikiki auditionsFox's TV talent show will film
here over six days in October
Local auditions for "American Idol" are the "perfect fit for Hawaii at the right time in the right market," says the head of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Les Enderton, interim president and chief executive for the HVCB, said Hawaii is trying to target the 18-to-49-year-olds who watch the popular Fox TV show.
The Honolulu audition shows will be taped here for six days in October at Aloha Stadium and at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and will be broadcast on Fox in late January or early February 2004.
Though "American Idol" producers and Fox officials have not made an official announcement of the local auditions, HVCB officials yesterday confirmed that the agency has been working since April to persuade producers to film in Hawaii.
"We contacted ('American Idol')," Enderton said. "This idea was initiated here because we believe that Honolulu is an ideal location for a show that has become a cultural icon.
"We felt that having Hawaii involved in a prime-time network television show as exciting as this would help focus national attention on the islands, especially Waikiki."
Thousands of hopefuls are expected to audition at Aloha Stadium for two days, with about 100 to 150 finalists shifting to the Sheraton Waikiki hoping for a spot on "American Idol" and a chance at the title and a major recording contract, the HVCB said.
In a yet-to-be-released HVCB announcement, David Goffen, supervising producer of "American Idol," said: "The wealth of singing talent in the Islands combined with the exotic appeal of Hawaii will make it a truly memorable show."
Fox officials in New York or Los Angeles were not available for comment.
"American Idol" averaged 26 million viewers a week for the four audition shows last season and won the coveted 18-49 year-old demographic every week with an average 30 percent of all TV viewers watching the show.
The local audition shows will be broadcast to mainland audiences during winter, which HVCB officials say will make Hawaii all the more alluring. The shows also will be broadcast in several other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The final contestants will be judged at the Sheraton Waikiki by Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson against a backdrop of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
HVCB is paying no production or license fee to get "American Idol," the agency said.
The bureau has been coordinating partnerships between "American Idol" and the visitor industry, including accommodations and meeting rooms to be provided by Starwood Hotels and Resorts and as many as 40 round-trip tickets from Hawaiian Airlines, in exchange for promotional exposure.
The producers plan to hire as many as 40 local production crew members.
New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta are regular audition cities for each season. Houston and Honolulu have been added for the third season. Honolulu will be the final city, and it is expected that some mainland contestants will fly in to be part of the audition, sources said.
Enderton said the HVCB hopes to be involved in more promotions like the "American Idol" deal. "We think with the demand for our destination we can do other things of this nature for a reasonable amount of money."
