Posted on: Saturday, September 29, 2001

'Baywatch' producers sue visitors bureau for $357,265

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

"Baywatch Hawai'i" producers filed suit against the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau yesterday, alleging the bureau owes it $357,265.30 for costs connected to the television series.

The lawsuit, filed yesterday in U.S. District Court by Honolulu lawyer John R. Lacy on behalf of Baywatch Production Co., states that the convention bureau entered into a memorandum of agreement with Baywatch in March 1999.

Under the terms of that agreement, the producers asked the convention bureau to reimburse it for "costs and expenses that Baywatch has documented and submitted," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit did not specify which costs and expenses constitute the $357,265.30 allegedly owed by the convention bureau.

Officials at the convention bureau were in meetings yesterday afternoon and unavailable to comment on the lawsuit.

State officials were criticized in 1999 for providing $7 million in free air fare, hotel rooms, production and infrastructure to lure the "Baywatch" series to Hawai'i in the hope of attracting its viewers as tourists.

The show was canceled less than two years later.

Baywatch Production Co. is asking the court to order the bureau to pay it $357,265.30 plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.