Page 5 - MidWeek Kauai - Sep 22 2021

dance classes at Waipi‘o’s Pas De Deux Hawai‘i and attended acting workshops led by Margaret Doversola. His abundance of natural talent came to the surface during this time, and thanks to casting director Rachel Sutton, Sato landed his first principal role on Hawai‘i Five-0 in 2014 at the age of 13.
and viewers is an added bo- nus that Sato is more than grateful for.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 5
Mililani’s Matt Sato Lands Role In ‘Doogie’ Reboot
(Lara), and mixed kids,” Sato says. “There’s some funny jokes in the show that all of us hapa mixes are go- ing to understand.”
The fact that he grew up in Hawai‘i further solidifies that this is the perfect role for Sato, who enjoys fishing on the Westside — sometimes indulging in sessions twice a day — and hiking locales like Pali Puka when he comes back to visit. He also finds time to volunteer with local nonprofits like Hawai- ian Humane Society — he loves animals and has a Mal- tese named Michi and a pug named Olive — and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai‘i. Anything to give back to the place that’s given him so much throughout his childhood.
From Mililani Ike Ele- mentary to Mililani Middle and then American Renais- sance Academy in Kapolei, Sato participated in ev- erything from soccer and baseball to cross-country and swimming — but the proverbial acting bug just wouldn’t go away.
“Once I did that, I knew I was hooked,” he says. “I knew it was what I wanted to do.”
“I’m excited to be able to share the aloha spirit with the audience watching,” he says. “There’s so much to take away. It’s a comedy, drama, coming-of-age sto- ry, it’s a procedural hospital show — there’s something in it for everyone, whether you live here or not.”
With support from his family, Sato moved to LA at age 16 to pursue his passion full-time. In addition to na- tional commercials for prod- ucts like Hasbro Beyblades to Clean & Clear and Zuru Toys, he also starred in teen web series Chicken Girls (his first experience with episod- ic work) and Nickelodeon’s Side Hustle (airing now), as well as James Hong’s Patsy Lee & The Keepers of the 5 Kingdoms.
While audiences across the Pacific can live vicar- iously through Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. and its beautiful scenery shots and pristine filming locations (look forward to views of Waimānalo, Waikīkī and The University of Hawaiʻi Can- cer Center), kama‘āina are the ones in for a real treat, to hear Sato tell it.
(Above) The Sato family — (from left) dad Gavin, mom Lara, Matt and older brother Gavin Kaleialii — pose for a photo at Matt’s graduation at Brighton Hall in Burbank, California. PHOTOS COURTESY MATT SATO
(Inset) Sato loves animals and even volunteers with organizations like Hawaiian Humane Society. Here, he’s pictured with his family dog, Michi.
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While nothing quite tops a mainstay role in a popular TV show, being able to share his island home with Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. cast, crew
“There’s a lot of funny Easter eggs that only locals are going to get,” he says. “The audience, no matter where they’re from, is going to have a lot of fun.”
In fifth grade, he started
There’s more in the works for Sato in the future, and fans can follow along on his journey on Instagram (@mattsato).
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(Inset) Matt Sato, a Mililani native, landed a recurring role on Disney+’s Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.
(Above) Sato plays Kai Kameāloha, big brother to Peyton Elizabeth Lee’s Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha.
(Right) Sato and fellow actor Emma Meisel, who plays Steph Denisco , take a break on the set of Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.
PHOTOS COURTESY MATT SATO
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