HGTV\u2019S \u201cRenovation Aloha\u201d series is facing legal trouble after an episode aired that allegedly showing the remains of Native Hawaiian ancestors in violation of state law.<\/p>\n
Kamohai (left) and Tristyn (right) in the finished coffee area, as seen on Renovation Aloha, Season 1. (Courtesy HGTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The episode of the show, which follows married couple Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama as they renovate houses on Oahu, aired last week and was noticed by the state\u2019s Attorney General\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, obtained by People magazine<\/a>, the show discovered human skeletal remains on the property of a residential renovation project while filming. Based on the location of the site, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) had reason to believe the remains are iwi kupuna, or skeletal remains of Native Hawaiian ancestors.<\/p>\n Iwi kupuna are offered \u201cthe highest level of protection\u201d per the complaint, and Hawaii state law specifically prohibits the taking, appropriation, excavation, destruction, or alteration of burial sites. Photography is also “prohibited, unless written consent is first obtained\u201d from relevant authorities.<\/p>\n Kamohai (left) and Tristyn (right) on the new deck area of the “Carjacks House” (Courtesy HGTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The state alleges that the Kalamas \u201cposted video and photographic content to their public Instagram account (@kamohaiandtristyn) that appears to depict the human skeletal remains.\u201d<\/p>\n It also claims that a recent episode of \u201cRenovation Aloha\u201d contained footage depicting the remains without consent from a burial council or the DLNR.<\/p>\n The Kalamas are named in the suit alongside HGTV, Discovery Inc, and producer Nathan Fields.<\/p>\n Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama HGTVs “Renovation Aloha.” (Courtesy HGTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The motion is seeking an unspecified amount in civil penalties and a permanent injunction ordering the defendants to remove any online or broadcast content showing the remains.<\/p>\n \u201cWe take the concerns raised by the Native Hawaiian community very seriously and are committed to ensuring our programming is respectful and appropriate,\u201d an HGTV spokesperson said in a statement shared with People Magazine. \u201cWe apologize to anyone who found any part of the episode offensive, as that was not HGTV’s intention.\u201d<\/p>\n Tristyn (left) and Kamohai (right) on the new deck of the “Bee House,” as seen on Renovation Aloha, Season 1. (Courtesy HGTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Deadline <\/a>reported that the episode, titled \u201cBones on the Big Island,\u201d was re-edited to remove the footage and includes a note that local authorities were contacted as soon as the remains were found. It also states the couple decided to not go forward with developing the lot out of respect.<\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram @WeArePauseRewind<\/a> for all your pop culture obsessions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Kamohai](\"https:\/\/komonews.com\/resources\/media2\/16x9\/1920\/986\/0x100\/90\/4e27bfe2-5cc5-4f92-bfb7-32c77cc32c32-kamohaiandtristynkalamahgtvsrenovationaloha_0.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Kamohai](\"https:\/\/komonews.com\/resources\/media2\/16x9\/1920\/986\/0x100\/90\/4d78b18f-cbe6-4280-b192-a1ff03fb5125-KamohaiandTristynKalamaHGTVsRenovationAloharlr.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Tristyn](\"https:\/\/komonews.com\/resources\/media2\/16x9\/1920\/986\/0x100\/90\/5e751e9b-c8f8-44f7-ad0e-caa1d186826a-TristynandKamohaiKalamaHGTVsRenovationHawaii1lr_0.jpg\"\/)
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