When Not Practicing Law, She Takes Viewers on Diving Adventures Around the World

Deputy Public Defender Merlinda Garma has hosted the TV show “Hawaii Skin Diver” since its debut in 2004.

Beginnings: Merlinda Garma was crowned Miss Honolulu in 2003 and while attending a get-together after her victory, she met the owner of Hana Pa‘a, a fishing supply store on Dillingham Boulevard in Kalihi. He told her about a new fishing-centric TV show that was in the works and needed a host. Intrigued, she decided to audition for the role.

“There were only two people who showed up for the audition of ‘Hawaii Skin Diver,’ me and Cathy.” That was Cathy Nakamoto, the editor of the TV show, who Garma says didn’t want to be on camera but came to ensure there would be at least one candidate. “So I kind of got the role by default.”

Highlights: Since it debuted in 2004, the TV show on Spectrum OC16 has taken viewers on freediving and spearfishing adventures around the world. It airs weekdays at 7:30 pm, with new episodes premiering on the first Tuesday of each month.

Garma enjoys meeting divers and their families and seeing the pride they have in their catches. She’s also loved working all these years with the show’s tiny crew: Nakamoto and her producer/husband Kyle Nakamoto, who are occasionally supplemented by Garma’s husband, Shae Grimm, and son, Ansel.

“It’s always been just a skeleton crew, and it’s just reflective of Hawai‘i in general. It’s very family-oriented and that’s what I love about the show – meeting families and working in this hānai family.”

What It Takes: Hawai‘i-born Garma was not an avid diver before she joined the show, but has learned a lot from the people who appear with her on camera.

“Being around these divers who are super experts, you learn fast.” In an experience that she says points to how connected Hawai‘i is, one of those especially helpful divers was married to a woman that Garma danced Tahitian with.

Challenges: Garma’s calendar has been especially full since becoming a deputy public defender in 2015 and later a mother.

“As soon as I became an attorney and as soon as I became a new mom, scheduling our times to film was the most challenging part.”

Importance: She says she is grateful that the show has showcased and revitalized the important local tradition of spearfishing.

“Little girls and boys will come up to me and say, ‘I want to be a diver,’ and I’m like ‘Fantastic! You can do whatever you want.’ It’s encouraging to see that other generations are following in their footsteps and are still perpetuating this sport.”