HALEIWA (KHON2) – The North Shore is known as the surf capital of the world.
Every winter, thousands of people flock to this seven mile stretch to test their skills in the water or watch from a distance.
But sometimes, the ocean can be unforgiving, and a new television drama is coming to FOX that showcases the dangers of the North Shore’s beautiful and deadly coastline.
Rescue: HI Surf follows the personal and professional lives of lifeguards who patrol and protect the North Shore.
It’s not a reality show, but former Ocean Safety lifeguard and waterman Brian Keaulana says the show is as real as it gets when it comes to the dangers and risks our Ocean Safety team goes through on a daily basis.
“It’s the stories you’re going to see, that our writers have written that are almost very true to what goes on, and the lives that we’ve saved and the impact that we have on husbands, wives, you know, for us being lifeguards it’s not about the money right? It’s about making a difference in someone’s life,” Keaulana, who is also the water unit director and show producer, said about the new series.
The shows executives say each episode will feature the heroic and dedicated first responders who save lives along the difficult and oftentimes life-threatening seven mile stretch.
Keaulana has worked on many shows and movies in the past, but he says Rescue: HI Surf is particularly special.
“This is probably one of the productions that has hired the most locals I’ve ever seen,” he said. “We have such great talent here and for being a water show and a show about us as lifeguards, as watermen, and showing our environment and what we do and the nature of how we do it, it’s just a great way of telling the story.”
Keaulana says about 90 percent of the production crew is local and one of the writers is a Kahuku graduate too.
Rescue: HI Surf is currently the only television show being filmed on Oahu. Keaulana says there are many economic benefits to expand the movie and tv industry in Hawaii. He even started the non-profit International Cultural Arts Network or ICAN for people to develop their skills.
“Really to keep the local jobs here and provide the skill sets and the knowledge here, we’re looking into developing studios and facilities that’s needed,” he said.
For now, he’s already looking forward to filming season two and beyond.
“I really see no stop in this, because it’s the true nature of who we are and what we do and the excitement and the passion and the lifestyle of who we all are, so it’s just a great time,” he added.
FOX recently picked up seven additional episodes for a total of 19 for the shows first season, including one that will have the coveted time slot right after Super Bowl 59 in February.
FOX will premier the series this fall and you can catch all the action on KHON.
To watch the trailer, click here.