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‘Lost’ extends
season finale

The season finale of "Lost" has been expanded to two hours, from the original 90 minutes, for creative reasons. The May 25 finale is up against the wrap-up of "American Idol" on Fox. Series creators J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof had planned for an hour-and-a-half show, but the final script came in longer than expected, thus the decision to expand.

ABC/Touchstone will likely begin using the state's Hawaii Film Studio soundstage next month without rental charge, at least until construction on the Diamond Head site ends early next year.

Meanwhile, the million-dollar-plus hotel set of "North Shore" is being disassembled for a two-day public auction of props, clothes and other items. Stay tuned for dates.

Security has never been tighter on the "Lost" set over the details of the last episode and the character who dies. No visitors are being allowed to ensure no leaks. The actor, sources said, is not being eliminated because he has been dating a producer's daughter. Cast and crew say they're constantly receiving security warnings about keeping a tight lip and some aren't even getting full scripts ...

Yes'm, that was Clint Eastwood scouting the Big Island and Maui for his new film "Flags of Our Fathers" ...

University of Hawaii Academy of Creative Media supporters Roy and Hilda Takeyama have donated a second $100,000 for a post-production editing suite and support internships and awards for its students. Chairperson Chris Lee, who is in Australia, where he's exec-producing the "Superman" sequel, said that an editing suite allows students to work on "highly sophisticated, post-production equipment they wouldn't otherwise have access to. With this gift we can also provide the all-important internships that connect student learning from the classroom to the film set and animation shop" ...

Sad to report that former Hawaii resident and surfer Wayne Miyata, who appeared in "The Endless Summer," died March 21 in Hermosa Beach, Calif., after battling esophageal cancer. He was 63. Miyata's memorable two-wave tube scene in "Summer" was filmed at the now-gone Garbage Hole break, destroyed when Magic Island was created ...