Kyra

Kyra Keli Messinetti was born in New York and attended a performing arts high school in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her parents had lived on Oʻahu for a decade before her birth and had been visiting the islands throughout her life. In 2010, when Kyra's mom decided to make Big Island her permanent home, Kyra quickly followed suit. She pursued her passion for acting in film and TV at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, complementing her lifelong study of musical theatre. Presently, Kyra shares her expertise in the arts with children in Kailua Kona. Alongside her role as a realtor at Luva Realty, she also serves as a tour guide for the Kona Historical Walking Food Tour. While Kyra has enjoyed a successful modeling career, she is particularly excited to be a part of the BITV ʻohana!

Elias

Would you ever think a professional can crusher would have what it takes to be on TV?  Well, that’s where I enter the narrative. Born and raised on the Big Island and the oldest of three, my younger sister and brother are all children of our family business, Atlas Recycling.  When I’m not on a forklift or the crusher, I enjoy spending cozy Kaloko nights with my lovely girlfriend Kyra and fostering my slice as a 19 handicapper on a golf course. FORE LEFT!

The opportunity to be a part of the Big Island TV ohana is something I’m very grateful for. There are so many talented and hardworking people from the Big Island, and I look forward to the opportunity to meet, learn, and share their stories.

Ikaika

Ikaika Antone is an award-winning musician and Big Island Television personality, where he hosts the cooking segment “Ikaika’s Kitchen”. He is best known as a founding and current member of five-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winning Hawaiian Reggae band “The Green”.  Though born and raised on the Island of Oʻahu, Ikaika has been a Kona resident for nearly 10 years.

His love for food derives from his grandmother’s cooking, as she prepared all meals for the family. Since then, that love has grown, and now Ikaika prepares those same dishes for his own family. “Ikaika’s Kitchen” aims to share recipes from both family and friends, and he hopes that his love for food and cooking will help Big Island Television continue to support local businesses and build a stronger sense of community here on Hawai’i Island.

Rachelle

I first moved to Kona on the Big Island back in 1982 with my mom, my older brother, and younger sister. I went from a small Christian school in the Northern California foothills to Konawaena High School. I was one naive little haole girl! That naïveté is now long gone, but the wonderment of living in paradise has grown with each passing year.

In the mid 1990's I got my feet wet as an advertising account executive at a local radio station, and thatʻs when I first met my now-longtime friend, Lyman Medeiros. By 2003 I determined that with my knowledge and contacts I could go out on my own, and thus my advertising company, Media Buyers Hawaii was born. I also got engaged to my husband that year, and I am happy to report the business and the marriage are still going strong today!

My association with Big Island Television began in 2006 when I became their Director of Sales and Marketing. I remained there through the good times and the lean times, and in 2020 Big Island Television became yet one more casualty of the pandemic.

When A.D. and Noel Ackerman offered the opportunity to try and revive the company, my co-worker Lyman and I jumped right in. Our vision was to bring a fresh approach. New faces, new features, and a tried-and-true perspective on our island’s culture, past and present.

I cannot express how thankful I am to the Ackerman’s and for all the wisdom they have bestowed on me. Their ʻohana is now my ʻohana.