StarBulletin.com

Ocean Network puts Hawaii in the spotlight


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POSTED: Friday, December 19, 2008

If you haven't checked out the Ocean Network yet, be sure to see what's playing on Digital Channel 349. On Feb. 1 it began airing fishing, surfing, sailing, outdoor adventure and environmental shows from Hawaii, the mainland and international locations such as Australia, New Zealand and Korea.

“;It really is a brand-new Hawaii startup business,”; said Michael Shishido, Ocean Network's chief operating officer and director of programming. Right now, the primary focus remains on the cable channel, but Web-based entertainment is just around the corner. “;The larger plan includes mobile delivery,”; added Shishido. “;We want to be everywhere.”;

Among the offerings: Network co-founder Joe Teipel started a surf report show. There's also “;Wahine Blue,”; a Hawaii surfing show dedicated to girls, and “;Sport Fishing with Dan Hernandez,”; a popular series out of California.

Though it's based in Honolulu, the network wants to expand to the mainland and Pacific Rim, and “;anywhere ocean content would be welcome,”; said Shishido. “;It's not just a coastal thing.”;

Shishido also said that anyone with a video related to the ocean should submit it to the network for consideration. In fact, he hopes to create a locally based, magazine-style, viewer-generated show where people send in their own surfing, paddling or fishing videos for each episode.

Visit www.oceannetwork.tv ...

If you can't afford to give your favorite “;Lost”; fan the entire Season 4 DVD set, consider a smaller (read: cheaper) gift from iTunes. Jeff Curtin and Adam Schatz started “;the first ever recap rock band,”; called Previously on Lost. They treat the stage as a tropical island (complete with an image of a hula dancer stuck to the microphone stand), and begin each show with a mock plane crash (picture a cardboard plane plowing into the stage).

Despite the band's quirky, minimalist musical-theater style, National Public Radio and the Washington Post have given it a fair amount of exposure. Learn more at www.myspace.com/previouslyonlostmusic ...

Remember “;High School Reunion “;? Not to be confused with “;High School Musical,”; the eight-part reunion reality show filmed its second season on Kauai. Essentially, 38-year-olds who graduated from Arizona's Chandler High School in 1988 (producers choose a different school every year) gather in a luxurious house to “;rekindle old relationships, reveal long-held secrets and resolve deep-seated issues from 20 years ago,”; according to press materials.

In the first season, which took place on Maui, people hooked up and broke up, and confronted long-buried issues ranging from illicit affairs to bullying. Producers make an effort to select people who create more than a little friction with those around them. If you're over 40, you may find it amusing. Any younger, and you will likely label it pathetic.

So you know what to expect, the show comes from executive producer Mike Fleiss, who also is responsible for “;The Bachelor.”; The Season 2 premiere of “;High School Reunion”; is set for Feb. 18 on TV Land.