AceShowbiz - Kamohai Kalama and Tristyn Kalama, stars of the HGTV show Renovation Aloha, have been sued following allegations that footage containing Native Hawaiian ancestral remains was shown during filming.

On Tuesday, April 21, multiple news outlets reported that the married couple became the focus of an investigation by Hawaii’s Attorney General’s Office. A civil complaint, which was filed earlier this month in the Third Circuit Court of Hawaii, details that human skeletal remains were discovered at a residential renovation site while filming an episode for Renovation Aloha. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) believed the remains could be iwi k?puna, or Native Hawaiian ancestral skeletons, based on the location of the property.

Iwi k?puna are given the highest level of protection under state law, which prohibits the taking, moving, excavation, destruction, or alteration of burial sites. Additionally, photographing or filming these remains is forbidden unless prior written consent is obtained from the relevant authorities.

The lawsuit alleges that an episode from season 3, which aired on April 14, included images of the burial remains as the Kalama couple worked on renovating the home. The complaint also states that the pair shared video and photographic content on their public Instagram account (@kamohaiandtristyn) that appears to show the human skeletal remains. At least one Instagram Story featuring the remains was reportedly still accessible when the complaint was filed.

According to court documents obtained by People magazine, the footage featuring the remains was broadcast without written permission from the appropriate burial council or the DLNR. The state argues that the national television broadcast of the iwi k?puna footage causes "profound and irreparable harm" to the Native Hawaiian community, the state’s interest in protecting cultural resources, and the dignity and sanctity of the ancestors whose remains were depicted.

The lawsuit names Kamohai and Tristyn, along with HGTV, Discovery Inc., and producer Nathan Fields as defendants. The plaintiffs are seeking a permanent injunction to remove all online and broadcast content depicting the remains and an unspecified amount in civil penalties.

In response to the controversy, an HGTV spokesperson said, "We take the concerns raised by the Native Hawaiian community very seriously and are committed to ensuring our programming is respectful and appropriate." The network also apologized to anyone who found the episode offensive, emphasizing that it was not their intention to cause harm.

Deadline reported that HGTV has since edited the episode to remove all footage of the remains. The revised episode included a note that local authorities were contacted immediately after the discovery and that, out of respect, the couple refrained from developing on the land.

Earlier this month, Kamohai and Tristyn addressed the situation during an Instagram Live session. They stated they never intended to build on the site and claimed they were following protocols known to them regarding the discovery.

This incident comes amid ongoing changes at HGTV, which recently canceled five shows in June, including Battle on the Beach, Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, Bargain Block, and Izzy Does It. These cancellations have caused concern among fans and reality stars about the future of their favorite programming on the network.

The lawsuit underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and legal compliance when dealing with sacred sites and ancestral remains, especially in areas with rich indigenous heritage like Hawaii. It also highlights the challenges media companies face in balancing entertainment with respect for local customs and laws.

The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the court will determine the appropriate penalties and remedies for the parties involved. Meanwhile, the situation has sparked discussion about the responsibilities of television productions in protecting cultural heritage and ensuring respectful representation.