Over the past one hundred years, Hawai’i Nei has experienced immeasurable growth as a world-class tourist destination. In 2008, the islands of Hawai’i offer travel options for every taste and budget – and the half-million folks who visited Hawai’i just last month are living proof to its enduring allure.

However, for the hundreds of thousands of Hawai’i residents who call themselves kama‘āina, this extraordinary chain of tropical islands is much more than just a sun-drenched oasis for R&R.

It is home.

And whether na kama‘āina take a neighbor island weekend to visit ‘ōhana, to relax and unwind away from it all, or to simply see more of this one-of-a-kind place we call home, our cultural perspective, traditions and island way of life enriches everything about the journey.

This decidedly local perspective is the lens through which we bring you Kama‘āina Backroads™, the television series produced by kama‘āina for kama‘āina (and anyone else interested in our take on holoholo).

Based on the island birthplace of Kamehameha the Great – the Big Island of Hawai‘i, each upbeat half-hour episode takes viewers on a unique adventure exploring our history, our culture, and treasures of the ‘āina that hold importance to both the kama‘āina and new-comer alike.

Each episode of Kama‘āina Backroads™ places the viewer up front and center – riding along as “co-pilot” with seriesʻ producers. “The destination is the star,” says KBRʻs creator Roland Joseph Torres. “We are proud of this place we call home, and the approach we’re taking with Kama‘āina Backroads™ is strictly from a local point of view. Of course, we love to luxuriate in 5-star comfort, but just as importantly, we get down, roll our sleeves up and hit the dirt. We explore both upscale and holes-in-the-wall; we talk story with Nā Kūpuna, seeking out the local guy’s point of view – and we’re asking lots of questions, allowing us the joy of learning why this or that area of land, ocean, or cultural focal point is so critical, where we might find the best plate lunch, and learning first-hand about how small towns built upon a plantation lifestyle have evolved.”

According to Torres, “If we do our job well, our viewers will walk away with a stronger understanding that weaves our cherished past into our Y2K world.”

Packaged in a “magazine” format, each episode is built on a thematic set of segments produced in the Cinéma vérité style, with voiced-ever narrative, music, and world-class broadcast graphics.
The series is shot DV and digitally edited and mastered.

Donʻt miss Kamaʻāina Backroads™, new episodes premiere Saturday nights at 9:00 p.m., rebroadcast on Monday night at 7:00 p.m., and rebroadcasts at various dayparts throughout the week - all on Oceanic Time-Warnerʻs OC-16™

Distribution:
Broadcast television
Kama‘āina Backroads™ is broadcast throughout the entire State of Hawai’i on Time-Warner’s OC-16™, reaching more than 800,000 households statewide.
On Demand (Free to digital Oceanic subscribers)
Oceanic Time-Warner cable subscribers with a digital cable box can watch KBR “On Demand”. Go to channel 15 and you’ll find us there.
On the Web (Free to anyone)
Select epiosdes of KBR are available for viewing via the internet at http://www.oc16.tv Click on the top pulldown tab marked “SHOWS,” then pick “LIFESTYLE,” and find Kama’aina Backroads.

To view KBR Producer Roland Joseph Torresʻ bio, click HERE.