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
HGTV’s 'Renovation Aloha' stars sued for allegedly showing Native Hawaiian remains on TV The HGTV series "Renovation Aloha," which follows married couple Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama as they renovate homes on Oahu, is facing a legal challenge after an episode aired that allegedly violated state law by displaying the remains of Native Hawaiian ancestors. The episode, titled “Bones on the Big Island,” was noticed by the state’s Attorney General’s Office and led to a lawsuit against the Kalamas, HGTV, Discovery Inc., and producer Nathan Fields. According to a complaint obtained by People magazine, the episode included footage of human skeletal remains discovered during filming on a residential renovation project. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) indicated that the remains, located on the property, were likely iwi kupuna—skeletal remains of Native Hawaiian ancestors. The lawsuit alleges that the show aired the footage without consent from a burial council or the DLNR, violating state laws protecting Native Hawaiian cultural heritage. The motion seeks unspecified civil penalties and a permanent injunction to remove any online or broadcast content depicting the remains. An HGTV spokesperson stated in a statement shared with People magazine that the network takes the concerns of the Native Hawaiian community seriously and apologized for any offense caused by the episode, emphasizing that it was not their intention. Deadline reported that the episode was re-edited to remove the footage and includes a note stating that local authorities were contacted immediately upon the discovery of the remains. The Kalamas also decided not to proceed with developing the lot out of respect for the cultural significance of the site.#hgTV #kamohai_kalama #tristyn_kalama #discovery_inc #nathan_fields
