Originally from Kaneohe, local girl Kimee Balmilero is the founder and "Head Sillypino" of improvhi. Kimee has been performing professionally since 1994 thanks to her first paying gig as "Woody Woodpecker" at an Earth Day Fair in Hawaii. She got the role because she was the only person in her high school drama class that was short enough to fit in the costume. You can currently catch her as Medical Examiner, Dr. Noelani Cunha on CBS's "Hawaii Five-0." Other credits include: The 3X Emmy Nominated Kid's TV Series "Hi-5," the Original Broadway Cast of "Mamma Mia," and the 2nd National Touring Company of "Miss Saigon." While working in NYC and LA, she studied improv and sketch comedy at the famed Uprights Citizens Brigade Theatre. Kimee has performed in such venues as: UCB in LA, Second City-Hollywood, iO West, Radio City Music Hall and the Kodak Theater. In March 2015, Kimee produced the first ever Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival at The Honolulu Museum's Doris Duke Theatre.A lifetime student of the legendary Ronald E. Bright, Kimee made her directorial debut with the Hawai’i Premiere of “Mamma Mia” at the historical Diamond Head Theatre in Honolulu. The show was a hit with Hawaii audiences and was sold out for the entire run and extension. When not doing comedy stuff, Kimee loves watching shows about food, shopping at flea markets and garage sales, karaoke-ing, instagram-ing and looking at her husband John's face. She is also an only child. Go figure. kimeeb.com
Ryan Okinaka is a local stage actor, improvisor, director and playwright who recently made his TV debut in "Hawaii Five-0." His first full-length play entitled "iHula" premiered at Kumu Kahua Theater in the fall of 2016. Other stage credits include Mrya Mongoosette in Manoa Valley Teater's production of "Lisa Matsumoto's Once Upon One Noddah Time," Stan Ono in Kumu Kahua Theater's production of "Shoyu On Rice," and Brad in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Art's at Mark's Garage. Oki started improvising in 2010 as a member of In Yo Face Improv. He's proud to be a core member of ImprovHI.
Originally from Hawaii, a class advertising "conquer fears", "overcome shyness", and "learn how to fail" is what caught Kiyoshi "Yosh" Shiraishi's attention and lured him into the world of improv. After moving to Washington state for university, he stuck around in Seattle and started improvising in 2013. He started studying at Unexpected Productions and Jet City Improv in Seattle before moving back home to Oahu and joining ImprovHI in 2017. A data analyst and self-proclaimed nerd, Yosh studied and made a career in areas with few opportunities for subjectivity, creativity, and laugh-itivity. He enjoys improv most for the chance to play and be goofy and delightful with wonderful people.
Jose Ver Jose is in his 30s, but in true Chuck Norris form...he has over 50 years of experience. He's been performing professionally for over a decade doing everything from stand up to emceeing and all forms of improv. He's a comedian, singer, improvisor, actor, director, musician, martial artist, teacher, cook, uber driver, dancer and whatever else you need him to be! When not showcasing one of his many talents to the world, Jose teaches beginning and int/adv level improv at improvhi. Lucky us!