Maui-based TV show launches with host Eric Gilliom and filming of pilot episode

The cast and crew of a new Maui-based program, “IAMMAUI.TV,” gathered Sunday morning at Māʻalaea Small Boat Harbor for prayers and a blessing from the Rev. Adam Gomes. Within minutes, they sailed away on a Trilogy catamaran to film a pilot TV episode.

Gomes’ prayers and blowing of a conch shell marked the beginning of a project that has been for years a brainchild of former Maui County Film Commissioner Harry Donenfeld, the founder, president and executive producer of Kahu Media Group.

“I’ve been trying to figure out ways to expand the film and entertainment industry in Maui,” Donenfeld said, adding that his aim is for the industry to be sustainable and provide regular employment “every day and not just once a month.”

“IAMMAUI.TV” is Donenfeld’s first project, likened to a Maui lifestyle channel. “We don’t need another NBC, CBS or Fox. We have them,” he said.

The project started to take shape with a business plan more than a year ago and with planning a pilot program about six months ago, he said.

The show won’t be available, at least not immediately, on cable TV.

“We’re gonna start being a digital platform, so it will be internet-based only, streaming,” Donenfeld said. However, “we have been in discussions with several local stations and digital platforms. So there is a possibility at some point we might end up on cable.”

A successful TV program needs a star, and Donenfeld has enlisted Maui musician, actor and producer Eric Gilliom. The program’s pilot episode, “Singing & Sailing with Eric Gilliom,” features Gilliom aboard the Trilogy catamaran as the show host with his first featured guest, sister and famed vocalist Amy Hānaiali‘i. She has a half dozen Grammy Award nominations and has 18 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.

“Eric is going to be our host; so as the show goes on Eric will always be the host of the show,” Donenfeld said. “If Jerry Seinfeld can do ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,’ then, for Maui, we can do ‘Singing & Sailing with Eric Gilliom.”

Gilliom said he’s excited about starting the project, especially with his first guest being his sister, Amy.

“We had an idea for what I thought would be a great vehicle, not only for myself, but for the whole island of Maui and create content from here, for here, about here,” he said.

The format “will have a lot of music involved, obviously, so I’m having my sister Amy as my first guest, and I’ve got a bunch of amazing guests that are lined up once we get the ball rolling,” Gilliom said.

Gilliom will have musical guests on the program each week. “They will explore their influences and backgrounds and a little food and some culture; and all of it based on music,” Donenfeld said.

Plans call for each episode of the TV program to feature three live performances on the bow of the Trilogy catamaran.

It was not immediately known when the program will be available for viewing.