Kaliko Kauahi
Birth dateJanuary 11, 1974 (age 52)
Birth placeLawai, Hawaii, U.S.
EducationLoyola Marymount University
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present

Kaliko Kauahi is an American actress best known for her role as Sandra Kaluiokalani in NBC's comedy television series Superstore (2015–2021).[1][2] Additionally, she played the recurring role of Principal Kwan in the Disney Channel series Raven's Home (2018–2019) and has appeared in numerous television shows such as Parks and Recreation and iCarly.[1][3] She is currently portraying the role of Nurse Val on the NBC sitcom St. Denis Medical.[4]

Early life

Kauahi was born and raised in Lawai Valley on Kaua'i, Hawai'i's south side.[5][6] She was a boarding student at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu.[5] She attended Loyola Marymount University, studying communications and recording arts.[5][7]

Career

Kauahi enrolled in acting classes and began pursuing an acting career in her late 20s, saying: "It just took me that long to admit to myself that this is what I wanted to do and to get over the fear."[8] She first appeared in short films, and landed guest roles on television shows such as Modern Family (2011), Parks and Recreation (2013), The Big Bang Theory (2014), and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2015).[6][1] In 2015, she was cast in the recurring role of Sandra on NBC's workplace sitcom Superstore.[9] On May 22, 2019, NBC announced she had been promoted to a series regular for season 5; she remained a series regular for the show’s sixth and final season.[10]

She portrayed Principal Kwan in the Disney Channel television series Raven's Home (2018–2019).[1] She had a guest role as Tammy, a patient and practical animal handler in the NBC sitcom American Auto (2023), in the episode "Dealer Event".[11][12] In 2023, she also appeared as Danica in Paramount+'s comedy series iCarly, a revival series based on the 2007 Nickelodeon series of the same name. Her appearance on the show was well-received with fans hoping for her character's return for the fourth season.[13] She landed one of the main roles on NBC's medical comedy series St. Denis Medical, which premiered on November 12, 2024.[14][15][16] The show follows doctors and nurses at a hospital in Oregon and Kauahi plays a veteran nurse Val.[17] It was renewed for a third season.[18]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008Bad Mother's HandbookKorean Lunch GuestTV movie
2009Tales from the Catholic Church of Elvis!Obstetric Nurse/Calculus Teacher
2010Birds of a FeatherFemale Japanese TouristTV movie
2011Birds of a FeatherHitomi
Hall PassChief

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Mystery ERDr. Christine ToddEpisode: "Bittersweet/Ring of Fire"
ChuckAngry WomanEpisode: "Chuck Versus the Sandworm"
2010CustomerEpisode: "Chuck Versus the Living Dead"
2011Modern FamilyPedicuristEpisode: "Two Monkeys and a Panda"
SouthlandSaleswomanEpisode: "Let It Snow"
2013Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23Mrs. NguyenEpisode: "The Leak"
Parks and RecreationKhongordzol2 episodes
Welcome to Hollywood...FloridaHawaii Five 0Television Movie
2014Jimmy Kimmel Live!Kaliko/Security GuardEpisode: "Jennifer Love Hewitt/Clark Gregg/Clean Bandit"
The Big Bang TheoryMartaEpisode: "The Gorilla Dissolution"
LegitJim's Masseuse1 episode
2 Broke GirlsBooth Woman1 episode
2015Brooklyn Nine-NineBrenda HixEpisode: "Ava"
Kroll ShowMother McMilinEpisode: "The Commonwealth Games"
2015–2021SuperstoreSandra Kaluiokalani97 episodes; Main cast seasons 5–6, recurring seasons 1–4
2016The Soul ManWindow Lady #11 episode
Angel from HellJackieEpisode: "Go With Your Gut"
2018–2019Raven's HomePrincipal Kwan4 episodes
2019Matt and DanCaitlynEpisode: "Cookie Girl"
2022GhostsSherryEpisode: "The Liquor License"
2023American AutoTammyEpisode: "Dealer Event"
iCarlyDanicaEpisodes: "iGo to Toledo" and "iHave a Proposal"
2024–presentSt. Denis MedicalValMain role; 34 episodes

References

  1. ^ Harjo, Noetta (July 8, 2019). "GGA Indigenerd Wire: Interview with SUPERSTORE'S Kaliko Kauahi". Geek Girl Authority
  2. ^ Kakade, Angeli (March 25, 2021). "Exclusive: 'Superstore' Star Kaliko Kauahi Talks Saying Farewell To Hit Show [Video]". The Knockturnal. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "Hall Pass TV Guide". TV Guide. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "Sitcom set at Oregon hospital gets picked up for a second season". January 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Mark, Steven (October 25, 2020). "Big-box breakout: Kauai native Kaliko Kauahi shines in the NBC sitcom 'Superstore'". Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
  6. ^ "Kaliko Kauahi Talent Bio". NBC Universal Media Village. NBC. Retrieved February 21, 2020.[dead link]
  7. ^ Snyder, Diane (September 26, 2019). "Will 'Superstore's Sandra & Jerry Tie the Knot in season 5? Kaliko Kauahi Fills Us In". TVInsider. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Harjo, Noetta (July 8, 2019). "GGA Indigenerd Wire: Interview with SUPERSTORE'S Kaliko Kauahi". Geek Girl Authority. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Webber, Stephanie (March 8, 2018). "Superstore's Kaliko Kauahi: Sandra, Carol 'Showdown' Must Happen: Read Her Q&A!". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (May 22, 2019). "'Superstore': Kaliko Kauahi Upped To Series Regular For Season 5 Of NBC Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  11. ^ Foertsch, Rachel (2023-04-10). "Superstore's Kaliko Kauahi On Her Guest Role In American Auto". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  12. ^ Butler, Karen (April 12, 2023). "'Beyond adorable' bunnies lured Kaliko Kauahi into 'American Auto' guest spot". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  13. ^ Elpers, Shelby (2023-07-27). "iCarly Season 3 Episode 10 Review: iHave a Proposal". telltaletv.com. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  14. ^ Bell, Amanda (2024-05-13). "'St. Denis Medical' First Look: See Wendi McClendon-Covey, David Alan Grier & More". TV Insider. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2024-06-15). "'St. Denis Medical' Gets Order For 5 Additional Episodes From NBC". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  16. ^ Szalai, Georg (2024-03-21). "BBC Buys 'Suits'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  17. ^ Hailu, Selome (2024-06-15). "NBC Mockumentary 'St. Denis Medical' Gets Season 1 Extended to 18 Episodes". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  18. ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 2, 2026). "‘St. Denis Medical’ And ‘Happy’s Place’ Renewed For Third Seasons At NBC". Deadline