The will to survive

Dozens of Hawaii hopefuls think they have what it takes to outwit, outplay, outlast on reality TV

Watching "Survivor" on TV is one thing. To actively participate, quite another.

Not everyone is cut out to follow the creed of the show: Outwit, outplay, outlast. Or resort to new lows in the pursuit of the million-dollar cash prize: Proudly back-stab fellow cast mates (Richard Hatch, original season); pretend a grandmother has died to generate sympathy (Jon Dalton, "Survivor: Pearl City Panama").

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Rey Payumo, a mail carrier, was one of the 77 people who tried out for "Survivor" on Saturday.

But 77 hopeful contestants from Hawaii think they have what it takes to make it onto the 15th season of the CBS reality show, and all put on their best game faces and most outrageous personas during casting calls Saturday at Ala Moana Center. (The 14th season, "Survivor: Fiji," starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 on KGMB/CBS.)

University of Hawaii-Manoa student Alan Hoyt had the right attitude. He said he would have no problem voting off cast mates if chosen. "I'd vote you off one at a time and behave any way I want," he said to fellow contestants. "Love me or hate me, there is nothing in between. I'd have no problem being a jerk. Nothing really bothers me."

The former Marine is quick to separate real life from reality-TV life. "I don't lie in real life, but it looks like so much fun to befriend people and then kick them off. This is for a million bucks."

"Survivor" typically pits 17 contestants against one another in group and individual challenges, with one contestant voted off each week by remaining "tribe" members.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Doug Cooper said he knows how to play the survivor game, as he has survived prison.

In conjunction with CBS, KGMB made two-minute audition tapes of each contestant and will forward them to the network. Auditions for "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race" are held once a year at Ala Moana Center.

"We have no idea when the next season is going to filmed or shot," said marketing coordinator Sheryl Ferido. "This is just to provide Hawaii people an opportunity to come out and try."

Firefighters, nurses, stay-at-home moms and career surfers all reeled off why they'd be ideal for the show.

Several hopefuls, such as Happy Parks of Hanalei, Kauai, have watched every episode of the show since it debuted in 2000. The show rejuvenated ratings for CBS in that initial season, thanks largely to the trickery of entertaining personalities such as scheming Richard Hatch, abrasive Susan Hawk and a then-fresh concept.

"From the first episode, I've wanted to do that," said Parks, who flew into Honolulu the morning of the casting call.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Shirley Chew pointed to the words "#1 SURVIVOR" written on her arm.

Though many individuals are interested in the million-dollar prize, the idea of competing in physical endurance challenges is one of the reasons Parks has tried out for the show the past three seasons. An active swimmer, hiker and canoe paddler, the 65-year-old said she would like to test her physical limits on camera.

"I love competitions," said Parks. "People would not think of me as much of an athlete. My age could be to my advantage. I think I'm the oldest person to try out for the show."

Parks and Hoyt said they've thought of their winning strategies, should they be chosen. "I'm an actor and lying is acting," said Hoyt, who is a cast member in the University of Hawaii's April production of "As You Like It." "I would lie to someone and pretend to be honest and sincere."

"I would not get involved in any name-calling or conflict," said Parks. "I'd be a quiet leader like last season's winner, Yul (Kwon)."

Waikiki resident Tom Chen said last season's controversial theme drew him back to the show as a viewer. Cast mates were separated along racial lines for initial episodes before they were merged into two groups.

"It was an interesting thing to do but not that politically correct," said Chen, who waited in line for two hours for his shot at the spotlight. "The potential was there to be negative with the possibilities to show stereotypes and bigotry. But it ended up being clearly positive when the races came together and everyone got along. It shows how things can be. It's a very positive thing."

Avid "Survivor" follower Betty Seeger tried out on a whim after watching fellow contestants ham it up in front of the small audience gathered in front of the stage.

"I could do that," the Tripler Hospital nurse would tell herself while watching the show. "It really looks like fun with all the challenges and teamwork. Of course, there's far easier ways of earning a million dollars."