Hosts & Talent

Born and raised on Kaua'i. Lifelong resident of the Garden Isle.

Tin Tin Puulei is a Kauai-born cultural practitioner, visual artist, and community storyteller. He shares Hawaiian language, traditional crafts, and local customs on 'Tin Tin Teaches' and also hosts Tamba TV for Tamba Surf Company.

Multi-generational Kauai family. Farm in Hanalei Valley. Haraguchi Rice Mill is a historic Kauai landmark.

Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama is a 5th generation taro farmer and co-owner of Hanalei Taro from Hawaii's largest taro farm, in operation since 1924. She hosts 'Down to Earth' on the Kauai Visitor Channel.

Kauai native, resides in Kapaa. Sources from local farms.

Amanda Smith is a Kauai native, Ms. United States 2019, and founder of the Menehune Chef nonprofit teaching kids sustainable cooking across the Hawaiian Islands. She hosts 'Sustainable You Hawaii' on the Kauai Visitor Channel.

Works as sushi chef in Poipu. Reviews Kauai restaurants on KVIC.

Sushi chef. Hosts 'Arigato, Mrs. Roboto' on KVIC-TV, reviewing Kauai restaurants and food trucks.

Based in Kapa'a. Specializes in Kaua'i luxury real estate.

Julian Coiner is the Principal Broker of Kauai Luxury Properties and 2020 President of the Kauai Board of Realtors. A U.S. Air Force veteran and Ironman triathlete based on Kaua'i.

Born in Hawaii. Performs with father Michael Ruff at Kauai venues. Hosts 'Ruffin' It' on KVIC.

Olivia Ruff is a soulful vocalist and daughter of Grammy-nominated songwriter Michael Ruff. She is featured on Playing For Change and hosts 'Ruffin' It' on the Kauai Visitor Channel.

Hosted and produced KVIC-TV segments 2014-2015 including fashion, salon, and garden features.

Hosted by Amber Nightingale -- writer, producer, and on-screen host specializing in culture, arts, and travel.

Multi-generational Kauai roots. Tahiti Nui is a 60+ year Hanalei institution.

Nanea Marston is the GM and part-owner of Tahiti Nui in Hanalei, the iconic restaurant opened by her grandparents in 1963 and featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Author of Frommer's Shortcut Kauai. KVIC-TV host. Two decades of Hawaii travel expertise.

Jeanne Cooper is a veteran Hawai'i travel writer, co-author of Frommer's Hawaii, and former travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Has lived on Kauai since 2004. Co-owns Hanalei Strings (ukulele/music shop) in Hanalei with wife Tora Smart (jazz vocalist). Father of Eli Smart.

Kirk Smart is a multi-genre guitarist, Musicians Institute graduate, and co-owner of Hanalei Strings in Hanalei. He has performed with Graham Nash, Taj Mahal, Joni Mitchell, and others, and performed at the Academy Awards pre-party seven years running.

Born and raised in Kekaha, lives in Wailua Homesteads, works for County of Kaua'i. First Kaua'i recording artist to open the Kaua'i Style Slack Key Festival.

Paul Togioka is a Kaua'i-born, two-time Grammy-nominated slack key guitarist, Ki Ho'alu Foundation Legacy Award recipient, and 23-year veteran of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival tour. The mayor of Kaua'i proclaimed November 20 as Paul Togioka Day in 2016.

Song 'Aloha Kaua'i' (2011), collaborated on 'Kauai Daydream' (2022). Featured on Calm app.

Jim "Kimo" West is a Grammy-winning Hawaiian slack key guitarist and lead guitarist for "Weird Al" Yankovic since 1983. With 14 solo albums, 125 million streams, and a 2021 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Album, he is one of the foremost ki ho'alu artists in the world.

Raised on Kauai. Family owns Hanalei Strings in Hanalei. Musical identity rooted in the island ('Aloha Soul').

Eli Smart is a Kauai-raised singer-songwriter and guitarist signed to Polydor Records. His 'Aloha Soul' sound fuses Hawaiian traditions with British soul influences. He has toured with Declan McKenna, who called him 'easily one of the best guitar players he's ever met.'

Operates Eating House 1849 at The Shops at Kukuiula, Poipu, Kauai.

Roy Yamaguchi is a James Beard Award-winning chef and pioneer of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. He operates Eating House 1849 at The Shops at Kukuiula on Kauai.

Career began on Kauai with Fish & Wildlife Service. Opened Patrick Ching ART Gallery in Princeville, Kauai (2008).

Patrick Ching is Hawaii's Nature Artist -- a wildlife painter, conservationist, and author of ~20 books. A former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ranger on Kauai, his work appears in the Bishop Museum and the Smithsonian, and he designed Hawaii's first Wildlife Conservation Stamp.

Jewelry designer based in Princeville.

Award-winning jewelry designer based in Princeville, Kauai.

Moved to Kauai in 1983, 40+ year resident. Studio on North Shore near Hanalei. Created YogAlign on Kauai.

Michaelle Edwards is the creator of YogAlign, a 40+ year Kauai resident, and founder of the Kauai Yoga School. An E-RYT 500 yoga teacher and licensed massage therapist, she developed her alignment-based method on Kauai's North Shore.

Born and raised in Kapa'a, Kaua'i. Family built a movie theater in Kapa'a in 1939. Returned after retirement from California bench.

Bill Fernandez is a Kapa'a-born author, retired California Superior Court judge, and former president of the Kaua'i Historical Society. A Kamehameha Schools and Stanford University graduate, he has authored over 10 books on Hawaiian history and culture, including the memoirs 'Rainbows Over Kapa'a' and 'Hawai'i in War and Peace.'

Longtime Kauai North Shore resident. Raised family there. Work shown at multiple Kauai galleries. (Note: may now reside in New Zealand)

Steven Valiere is a self-taught surf artist known for his bold, colorful acrylic surfscapes. A longtime Kauai North Shore resident and father of pro surfer Evan Valiere (WSL), his work has been featured in The Surfer's Journal.

Born and raised in Princeville, Kaua'i. Learned to surf at Hanalei Pier.

Alana Blanchard is a professional surfer born and raised in Princeville, Kaua'i. A Pipeline champion and World Tour competitor, she was surfing alongside her best friend Bethany Hamilton during the famous 2003 shark attack. She founded the Alana Blanchard Foundation in 2017.

Born in Kekaha, Kaua'i. Spent entire life performing on the island.

Larry Rivera (1930-2023) was Kaua'i's beloved 'Mr. Coco Palms' -- an entertainer who performed on the island for over 75 years. A Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award winner, he composed more than 100 songs about Kaua'i, released 14 albums, and performed alongside Elvis Presley.

Born and raised on Kaua'i. Lifelong North Shore icon. Operates surf school at Hanalei Bay.

Titus Kinimaka is a legendary big wave surfer born in Kalapaki, Kaua'i. A multi-decade Eddie Aikau competitor, 1996 Waterman of the Year, and Quiksilver ambassador, he now teaches surfing at his Hawaiian School of Surfing in Hanalei Bay.