'Makeover Story' turns cameras on Island folks

• TLC brings two reality shows to Hawai'i

By Tanya Bricking
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kimberly Luft, left, and Ashley Greaves, best friends and Army officers who are stationed in Hawai'i, are getting makeovers in front of the cameras as "A Makeover Story" films in the Islands. Call for singles show If you're single and looking, "A Dating Story," filming in Hawai'i, is looking for you. It's being produced in addition to TLC's "A Makeover Story." The dating show is looking to pair 16 local daters on eight episodes that will film on O'ahu and Maui Dec. 6-17. If you're single and 25 to 35, apply via banyanproductions.com or send your name, occupation and contact information to pwilliams@banyanprod.com.

Each half-hour show will tell the story behind some local faces, including surfing instructors, tourism workers and women in the military.

Erica Neves got involved almost by accident, volunteering to show off Waikiki, where she is regional communications manager for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Neves, who's 33 and married with two dogs, had been talking to producers about possible location shots for the program when the spotlight turned around. Producers were interested in doing makeovers on her and her friend, Lynelle Miyashiro, 34, a public relations account executive.

"I'm kind of used to being behind the scenes instead of in front," Neves said, but she was game for having her shoulder-length hair cut and colored and her look changed before a television audience.

Neves and Miyashiro, who often look almost identical in matching business suits, will be a contrast to the beachy looks of other participants.

"We really need a makeover because all we ever do is wear black," said Miyashiro, who finds it hard to shop for the latest trends when she has her 6- and 8-year-old boys tagging along.

The two women say they want their corporate looks updated. They'll have a personal shopper pick out their clothes at Neiman Marcus and will have their hair and makeup done at Salon 808.

The two friends are looking forward to Friday night, when film crews will tape them riding up the glass elevator 30 stories to the Hanohano Room at the Sheraton Waikiki for their "reveal" party.

Meanwhile, military pals Ashley Greaves and Kim Luft are looking forward to a party of their own. The two have been friends since they met at military training in Georgia when they were just out of college.

Greaves, 24, a first lieutenant from south New Jersey, says that when she's not at work, she's addicted to TLC shows. She had just arrived in Hawai'i after being stationed in South Korea, and was watching "A Makeover Story" at Luft's house in August when she got the idea to apply.

Greaves' typical style is uniforms during the day, and jeans and tank tops or T-shirts at home. Luft teases 5-foot-3 Greaves for wearing platform shoes when they go out.

Luft, a 27-year-old first lieutenant stationed at Schofield, finds it tough to get out of baseball-hat mode when she's not at work.

"I haven't gotten really feminine for a long time," Luft said, "probably since my wedding" last November.

The best friends will be filmed taking hula lessons, trying on clothes at Adasa Hawaii in the Hilton Hawaiian Village and getting their hair and makeup done at Aveda in Ala Moana Center. They'll have their "reveal" party Monday at the Hyatt hotel in Waikiki.

Greaves, who missed Luft's wedding, will finally see her friend all glammed up.

"I'm a little nervous," said Luft, who already has sat through a consultation and overheard stylists talking about her having a "long face" and "dry hair."

"I've watched the show, and 90 percent of the time they make them look better," Luft said.

If she happens to be one of the other 10 percent, she's sure her soldiers watching will let her know about it. But she's tough enough to be game for it going either way.

TLC brings two reality shows to Hawai'i

WHAT: The reality-based "A Makeover Story" is shooting six episodes on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island, this week through Oct. 31. In December, another cable series, "A Dating Story," will tape eight shows in the Islands.

WHEN: Both will be weekday shows on TLC and go on air later this year or next.

WHO: On "A Makeover Story," applicants are selected in pairs. "The couple goes through separate makeovers and don't see each other till they've been made over, so it's often a surprise," said Segal. Chosen:

• Honolulans Erica Neves, a 33-year-old hotel communications manager, and her colleague, Lynelle Miyashiro, a 34-year-old public relations account executive
• Ashley Greaves, 24, an Army officer, and her best friend, Kimberly Luft, 27, whose celebration will include Kimberly's wedding anniversary festivities at the Hale Koa Hotel
• O'ahu sisters and surf instructors Kirsti and Kira Tom
• Hanalei residents Carrie Johnson, 27, and Melissa Kent, 24, tour guides at Princeville
• Roommates Lisa Nelson, 28, and Kevin Schneider, 26, tour guides on the Big Island

WHAT'S NEXT: "A Dating Story," hosted by Sabrina Soto, involves two singles on a blind date, to see if they're a perfect match ... or not. Cameras follow the couple separately, then together, to see if a relationship evolves — or dissolves. The dating show will be in Hawai'i Dec. 5-17.