Renovation Aloha Sued Over Filming Native Hawaiian Bones HGTV is set to release a re-edited version of its episode “Bones On The Big Island” following a court order that mandated the original content be removed. The episode, which features husband and wife home flippers Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama, centers on their discovery of human remains in a lava tube on Hawaiʻi Island. The couple’s actions sparked a legal battle, with state officials arguing the footage violated cultural and legal protections for Native Hawaiian burial sites. The Kalamas, who had previously faced scrutiny for conducting renovations on Oʻahu without proper permits, found the bones on their property in a lava tube. During a scene filmed for the show, Kamohai Kalama expressed surprise upon discovering the remains, exclaiming, “Holy crap,” while shining a flashlight on the skeletal remains. The episode’s preview, shared on social media, alarmed Hawaiian officials, prompting a last-minute effort to block its release. The Hawaiʻi Attorney General’s Office filed a restraining order with a state judge, arguing the broadcast would cause irreparable harm to the Native Hawaiian community and violate state laws protecting cultural resources. The judge approved the order before the Kalamas or their producers could respond, citing the state’s risk of “irreparable harm” if the episode aired. The court’s reasoning included claims that the footage would desecrate sacred remains, damage the cultural and spiritual rights of Native Hawaiians, and set a precedent allowing commercial media to override preservation laws. Despite the order, the episode aired, prompting the AG’s office to threaten additional legal action. HGTV later issued an apology, stating it would re-edit the episode for future airings and platforms.#hawai_i #kamohai_kalama #tristyn_kalama #hawai_attorney_general #leimana_abenes
