O‘ahu’s power couple Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama (@kamohaiandtristyn) have become the fresh faces of Hawai‘i home renovation as hosts of HGTV’s hit show Renovation Aloha. Now streaming its second season, they bring their signature blend of modern design sensibility and authentic Hawaiian style to each project. Beyond their television success, the Kalamas are passionate about empowering others to enter the world of real estate investment through their comprehensive three-day workshops (@dealsandaloha). Fans can catch even more of the couple’s creative vision when they compete on Season 6 of HGTV’s high-stakes renovation competition Rock the Block, premiering this April. With their winning combination of expertise and aloha spirit, we catch up with the Kalamas.
“We have a passion for keeping locals home and empowering our local community through education and off-market opportunities,” says the Native Hawaiian and local-born and raised couple. “Housing local families is important to us and always will be.” PHOTO COURTESY OF HGTV
What drew you to flipping homes? Kamohai: First, we like to call it redevelopment/revitalizing, flipping sounds so quick and not personal. We pour so much of ourselves, our family and our culture into every project we work on. When we found real estate, we found the vehicle that would allow us to combine the two things that mean the most to us. First, we could create a life that would allow us to buy a home where we were born and raised in Kailua and pass something special down to our kids and second, we could help people do the same and have a positive impact on our community.
The Kamalas gravitate toward earthy tones and organic textures. Utilizing local artists and vendors also allows Hawaiian design elements to be accentuated. PHOTO COURTESY OF HGTV
What inspired you to star inRenovation Aloha? Kamohai: We started our real estate investment company six years ago. Living in one of the most expensive places in the nation, the concept of home ownership is scarce, and we wanted to change that. So going to social media felt natural and was the next step with more educational events and podcasts. The TV show Renovation Aloha actually happened randomly and believe it or not we thought it was a scam when the production company initially sent us an email. After a lot of prayer, we felt we could create more impact by doing what we do in the public eye.
Are there Hawaiian architectural styles you aim to preserve? Kamohai: We ALWAYS aim to save as much of the original architecture of the home as we can. To this day we have never torn down a house. We live in the most special place and believe that our homes are a part of what makes our neighborhoods what they are.
Tristyn: You’ll see a lot of mid-century modern and plantation-style homes here in Hawai‘i. Our goal is to always lean into the original architecture and modernize the interiors for today’s families and lifestyles.
What role does sustainability play in your design approach? Kamohai: This is a very important issue for us. We recently started an energy company, DNA Energy Co. (dnaenergyco.com), that supplies solar for homeowners in Hawai‘i. What most don’t know is that Hawai‘i is in an energy crisis and the cost of electricity is the second largest bill for homeowners next to their mortgage. We have found creative ways to include solar and solar products in our designs that offer clients a wide array of benefits.
Natural beauty, from the mountains to the ocean, inspires custom floor plans, bringing the outdoors in and window placement capitalizing on the views. PHOTO COURTESY OF HGTV
What do you hope viewers take away from watchingRenovation Aloha? Tristyn: We hope that our viewers get a more intimate and authentic experience of Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i is full of so many talented people, majestic places, rich history and culture and awesome small businesses. We want to showcase it all from a local perspective.
Kamohai: We want to inspire hope in our viewers and show our local community what is possible. We are literally just a local boy and local girl who had a passion for something paired with the willingness to work hard!
Photography by:
