Having missed the theatrical release of “;Waterworld”; in 1995, a sort of giddiness overcame me when the “;new, extended!”; version of the DVD arrived in the newsroom. Kevin Costner! Stunt work from Laird Hamilton and Brian Keaulana! Filmed here, off the Big Island! That excitement, however, was short-lived. Honestly, I got through this interminable film only by tapping the fast-forward button between sips of wine.

Set in the future, after polar ice caps melt and flood the earth, creating an elusive destination called “;dry land,”; it's one drab, monochromatic scene after another, featuring characters we don't particularly care about (OK, the little girl is cute). It's striking how brilliant or breathtakingly boring Kevin Costner can be, depending on the material (see “;The Upside of Anger”; for a magnificent performance). Throughout the movie I just wanted him to take a shower and cut his hair, even if he was part fish. And Dennis Hopper? With the missing eye and that metal contraption over his crotch, who could focus on what he was saying?

A few details did ignite my interest, though. The incredible stunts were a testament to the local crew and watermen who participated. Costner's underwater swimming (most likely compliments of stunt double Laird) reminded me of Michael Phelps, and he navigated that bizarre trimaran with a clever, Tarzan-like flair. Oh yes, and his biceps looked pretty good.

So if you worked on the film or have friends who did, please forgive me and enjoy the re-released DVD. If not, get caught up on “;Lost”; instead ...

Business reporter Howard Dicus has joined “;Insights”; on PBS Hawaii. In an effort to consolidate resources, “;Everybody's Business with Howard Dicus”; will no longer air on Friday nights. Instead, it will influence the presentation of “;Insights”; at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights, which political analyst Dan Boylan continues to host.

“;'Insights' will serve as a forum—an interactive, live, hourlong broadcast focused on how our citizens are being impacted by this recession,”; PBS Hawaii president and CEO Leslie Wilcox said in a statement.

“;Mainstream media will cover (the economy) for their platforms—our approach will be more interactive and focused on what's going on behind the headlines,”; added Robert Pennybacker, vice president of creative services and executive producer for local programming at PBS Hawaii.

The final telecast of “;Everybody's Business with Howard Dicus”; aired last Friday. “;Insights”; begins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15. PBS Hawaii will rebroadcast the show at 10:30 on Fridays and again at 3 p.m. on Sundays ...

  Have any digital images you think might be worth exhibiting? UH Outreach College/Pacific New Media is sponsoring a juried exhibition in March. Hawaii residents 18 or older are eligible to submit pictures through Feb. 3. There's a limit of five images per person, and the jury cost is $5 per photo. Any digital picture that's never been shown publicly is eligible. For more information, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 956-2039. To register, visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu ...