Kaua'i film commissioner stepping down

Associated Press

LIHU'E, Hawaii — Kaua'i film commissioner Tiffani Lizama is stepping down from the post she was appointed to in October 2002, saying she wants to spend more time with family.

Lizama announced her resignation Thursday, but she will remain in the position until July 29.

The state film commission will handle requests for information from film producers interested in Kaua'i until a replacement is chosen, said Beth Tokioka, Kaua'i's economic development director.

Tokioka said soaring housing costs on Kaua'i and the position's $40,000 annual salary may make it difficult to recruit a replacement.

During her tenure, Lizama attracted two major projects to Kaua'i, both of them television productions. Last year, teen star Hilary Duff's 16th-birthday party was filmed on Kaua'i. This year, a teen reality show, "Endurance," filmed its 21-episode series on the island.

The producers of "Endurance" criticized Lizama and Kaua'i Mayor Bryan Baptiste last week for their inability to obtain state permits for the location they wanted and their difficulties in finding an alternative site. Filming on "Endurance" ended Sunday.