Since the Hawaii Tourism Authority lost $17 million of its advertising budget, it might want to continue its recent high-yield strategy: Luring reality and game shows to Hawaii. “;Wheel of Fortune”; boosted the Big Island's image to a wide-eyed game show crowd, and Monday night's episode of “;Jon and Kate Plus 8”; was a virtual love letter to Maui and the Grand Wailea Hotel and Resort. Advertising never looked so good.

The only less-than-stellar comment occurred when one of the twin girls complained that she couldn't see anything but sand while snorkeling. Otherwise, the Gosselin family of 10 baked cookies with the hotel's chef, learned hula at a luau and saw their first sea turtles on a catamaran excursion (Alii Kai must have loved its plug).

Next week, the Maui getaway continues when Jon and Kate Gosselin get remarried (to each other, they assured). Should be interesting to watch them renew their vows on the Grand Wailea property while parenting eight kids who would rather be slithering down the water slides ...

This weekend's Sony Expo highlights the newest high-definition products, such as the slim 40-inch display (9.9 millimeters thick ... you can never be too clear or too thin!). But even more interesting than the next football-viewing fantasy is the Youth Xchange Video competition booth. Sony's annual partnership with Olelo outfits motivated students with cameras and editing equipment to produce news, public service announcements, mini-documentaries, music videos, animation and short film segments.

All schools are eligible, and this year Waipahu Elementary students did particularly well. They'll attend a special presentation of their winning videos at 10:30 a.m. today; at 11 a.m. creative director Angela Angel will discuss what the kids learned in the process.

The contest attracted 459 submissions, so don't wait too long to check the rules for 2009, available at www.olelo.org/yxc. New topics include “;kupuna & me,”; global warming, traffic safety and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Visit the expo from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow in the Hibiscus Ballroom at the Ala Moana Hotel…

If you haven't followed “;Lost,”; mark your calendar for a chance to catch up with the serial tale of preternaturally good-looking people stranded (well, sort of) on a mystical island. ABC Television announced this week that “;Lost”; will return Jan. 21 with a synopsis to update viewers on the previous four seasons, followed by two one-hour episodes. We last saw the ensemble cast on May 29 dealing with the freighter explosion, Locke's death and a disappearing island.

Television celebs will test their bean-picking skills at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, according to West Hawaii Today. The contest happens at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ueshima Coffee UCC Hawaii Corp. coffee farm in Holualoa. Participants include chef Sam Choy, Bob Blumer, host of “;Glutten for Punishment”; on the Food Network and the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown. It must be tough work, because age divisions separate the contestants, just like a triathlon!