Cheryl Akemi Toma Sanders (born January 30, 1964[1] in Honolulu, Hawaii) is best known as being Miss Hawaii of 1990.[2] On top of being an actress, she portrayed the role of Kalea in "Barney's Beach Party"[3] (later re-titled to "Let's Go to the Beach"), and she portrayed Meli in the Season 13 episode, "A Bird of a Different Feather: Hawaii".
Career[]
Cheryl Toma Sanders received her master's degree in music education at the University of Hawaii and has done post-graduate work at Oberlin University, the University of Hawaii, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.[4] She was a flight attendant for Continental Airlines for four years. Then, she became a piano teacher for Kamehameha Schools for three years in addition to teaching piano privately.
Cheryl Toma Sanders and her husband, Matt, eventually moved to Forth Worth, Texas, due to Matt attending seminary school. It was there that she received an agent where she did work for print, ads, and commercials.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Barney & Friends | Meli | For "A Bird of a Different Feather: Hawaii" |
| 2008 | Attack of the Yakuza | Young Hiroki's Mom | Movie |
| 2002 | Serving Sara | Japanese Interpreter | Movie - Credited as Cheryl Akemi Toma |
| 2002 | Barney's Beach Party | Kalea | Credited as Cheryl Toma |
| 2000 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Carol Wong | For "Lazarus" |
| 1990 | 70th Annual Miss America Pageant | Self - Miss Hawaii | Television Special |
Personal Life[]
Sanders is married to Matt Sanders, a senior pastor at Wai'alae Baptist. Both Cheryl and Matt grew up together in the state of Hawaii. Together, they have three children, Kiyomi, Ariel, and Keiko.
Trivia[]
- Two of Cheryl Toma Sanders' children, Ariel Sanders and Keiko Sanders, were both cast members on Barney & Friends. Ariel Sanders portrayed Tori in Season 11, while Keiko Sanders portrayed Kioko in Season 13.
- Sanders, Robert Sweatmon, Todd Duffey, Maurice Scott, and the late Phyllis Cicero all had acting roles in Walker, Texas Ranger.