NCIS Hawaii season 2: Who is Yakira Chambers (Dedication explained)

NCIS Hawaii returned to its season long story on Monday, Jan. 16 after an action packed crossover with the franchise’s flagship series and their Los Angeles counterparts on Jan. 9. With its return also came an in memoriam dedication to Yakira Chambers.

The dedication appeared at the end of season 2 episode 11, “Rising Sun,” and displayed a picture of the late Chambers and the words, “In loving memory of Yakira Chambers.”

Who is she and what is the legacy she left behind with the show? Here’s what we know about the writer, producer, and actress.

NCIS Hawaii season 2: Yakira Chambers dedication explained

Chambers signed on to NCIS Hawaii as a staff writer in its debut season and was promoted to story editor for season 2. She wrote four episodes: “Rescuers” (1×07), “Spies, Part 1” (1×12), “Breach” (1×17), and “Curtain Call” (2×08). Chambers had earned her place on the writing staff after completing ViacomCBS Writers Mentoring Program in the 2020-2021 group.

Prior to her death, she’d been developing her own projects including a TV pilot for Larry Hoover, an incarcerated gang leader who became an author and community services advocate, as well as a pilot for a series drawing from her own experience as a girl from the Southside of Chicago attending a majority white high school. The show’s title is Myseducation.

Chambers also knew what it was like to work in front of the camera. Her acting credits include roles in Insecure, John Henry, The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl, and the M.O. Diaries (she also served as an executive producer on this project).

For a full write-up of Yakira Chambers’ life and accomplishments, click here for the Deadline article. She was 42 years old and passed away on Nov. 30, 2022 of acute asphyxia.

NCIS Hawaii airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.