Kamohai Kalama Bio: Age, Height, Wife, Children, Renovation Aloha Career, Net Worth, House Flipping & Facts

Kamohai Kalama is a Hawaiian real estate investor, television personality, and entrepreneur who turned a life of adversity into a story of redemption and success. As co-host of HGTV’s hit series Renovation Aloha, he and his wife Tristyn transform dilapidated homes across Oahu into modern island sanctuaries while keeping local families rooted in their community. A former substance abuse counselor and clothing store owner, Kamohai went from jail time and $80,000 in debt to flipping more than 70 homes and starring in two national HGTV shows. At 44, he stands as a proud Native Hawaiian businessman dedicated to preserving island culture, one renovation at a time.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Kamohai Kalama was born on September 20, 1981, in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. His family lineage runs extraordinarily deep in the islands—his ancestors have lived in Hawaii for 64 generations. His father was one of 11 siblings, which explains Kamohai’s sprawling extended family of 87 first cousins, many of whom remain active in his life and business today.

He attended the prestigious Kamehameha Schools in Oahu, graduating in 1999, and later enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Growing up in a supportive household, Kamohai developed what he describes as a self-proclaimed skill of being good at almost everything. However, his early adulthood took a difficult turn when he fell into a party lifestyle involving alcohol and drugs, habits that led to multiple arrests and jail stints.

His path to redemption began when he entered a substance abuse treatment center. There, he got sober, began working for the facility, and met the woman who would change his life forever.

Career Journey

Early Ventures: Counseling and Retail

Before real estate, Kamohai worked as a substance abuse counselor, drawing from his own recovery experience to help others battling addiction. Alongside his brother, he also launched a clothing store called Aloha Beach Club, which grew to three retail locations across Hawaii.

Despite their hard work, the brick-and-mortar business struggled. As Kamohai later explained, “We were able to pay the bills and pay our employees, but we weren’t able to survive.” The financial pressure intensified after he and Tristyn welcomed their first child. The couple was living paycheck-to-paycheck, drowning in $80,000 of debt, and facing the harsh reality that they might have to leave Hawaii to afford a future.

The Real Estate Pivot (2018)

The turning point came when Tristyn saw a commercial for a real estate seminar on television and insisted they attend. Kamohai was deeply skeptical—he recalls the instructors telling him he could somehow buy million-dollar houses, which seemed impossible given their financial state. But something clicked, and the couple decided to give it a shot.

In 2018, they officially entered the real estate market, applying their entrepreneurial instincts to house flipping. They began buying the “worst of the worst” properties on Oahu—dilapidated, single-walled, redwood tongue-and-groove homes battered by salt air and time. Kamohai handled the numbers and acquisitions, while Tristyn managed design and staging.

Since then, they have flipped more than 70 homes, creating hundreds of local jobs and establishing themselves as dominant players in one of America’s most expensive real estate markets.

Renovation Aloha and National Stardom (2024–Present)

On February 20, 2024, Renovation Aloha premiered on HGTV, introducing the Kalamas to a national audience. The show follows the couple as they buy rundown properties across Oahu and transform them into breezy, modern island homes while honoring Hawaiian culture and community.

The series quickly became a fan favorite for its authentic portrayal of island life, the couple’s chemistry, and their mission to keep local families in Hawaii. Kamohai’s philosophy is simple: “If the house isn’t falling down, then it’s fixable.” He crunches the numbers to ensure profitability, while Tristyn curates the aesthetic.

The show returned for Season 2 in February 2025 and Season 3 premiered on March 31, 2026, with new episodes continuing to showcase their growing operation and family life.

Rock the Block Season 6 (2025–2026)

In addition to their flagship series, Kamohai and Tristyn competed in Season 6 of Rock the Block, HGTV’s high-stakes renovation competition filmed in Utah. The appearance expanded their brand beyond Hawaii and introduced them to the network’s broader design-competition audience.

Photography Business

When he is not flipping houses or filming television, Kamohai operates Kamohai Kalama Photography, a landscape photography business. His work captures Hawaii’s unique natural beauty, and the couple frequently uses his prints to stage the homes they renovate. “I like to bring that into the finished product of our houses,” he has said of showcasing the islands through his lens.

Career Stats & Milestones

Personal Life

Marriage to Tristyn Kalama

Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama have been married for nearly a decade. Their love story is one of the most unique in reality television. They met at a substance abuse treatment center where Kamohai was a patient working toward sobriety and Tristyn was an intern. Tristyn’s mother served as the executive director of the facility, and she assured her daughter that Kamohai was a good man despite his past.

Their bond was forged in vulnerability and mutual support. Together, they documented their journey on their podcast Deals & Aloha, which airs on their YouTube channel and explores real estate, marriage, and island life.

Children and Family Life

The Kalamas are parents to two children: a daughter named Yasiel, born in 2018, and a son named Vale, born in 2020. The kids frequently appear on Renovation Aloha, growing up surrounded by construction sites, design decisions, and the tight-knit Kalama clan.

Kamohai’s extended family is deeply embedded in the business. As he explains, “In the family, we have contractors, cabinet makers and garbage collectors. We have someone to help with every aspect of our business.” His father-in-law scouts potential properties, his brother serves as project manager, his mother-in-law helps with childcare, and his sister-in-law works as a realtor selling their finished homes. Even his cousin owns the landscaping company they use.

Home and Traditions

The family lives in a lakeside home on Oahu that reflects their design philosophy: modern, minimal, but warm and deeply connected to the land. At the completion of every renovation, the Kalamas gather with their family in the newly finished home, and Kamohai’s father blesses the space by playing a song on his ukulele—a tradition that honors Hawaiian spirituality and prepares the house for its new family.

Recovery and Health

Kamohai has been open about his journey from addiction to sobriety, a transformation that underpins everything he has built. In 2026, fans of Renovation Aloha noticed both Kamohai and Tristyn looking noticeably slimmer, prompting the couple to share details of their recent weight loss journey and renewed commitment to health.

Controversies

Kamohai’s past includes run-ins with the law during his struggles with substance abuse, including multiple jail stints related to alcohol and drug habits. Rather than hide this history, he and Tristyn have addressed it directly on their podcast and in interviews, framing it as the foundation of their resilience.

The couple has also faced scrutiny regarding the economics of house flipping in Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation and local displacement is a sensitive issue. However, the Kalamas have countered criticism by emphasizing their mission: they prioritize selling off-market to local families, cutting out real estate commissions to reduce costs, and keeping native Hawaiians rooted in their ancestral communities.

Awards & Achievements

• HGTV Series Host — Renovation Aloha (2024–present, 3 seasons)
• Rock the Block Season 6 Competitor (2025–2026)
• 70+ Homes Flipped since 2018
• $80,000 Debt to Millionaire Status — documented financial turnaround
• Hundreds of Local Jobs Created through construction and renovation projects
• Featured Profile — HGTV, TV Insider, MidWeek, Pacific Business News

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“If the house isn’t falling down, then it’s fixable. We don’t discriminate against any part of the island as far as potentially buying a house. If the numbers make sense, then we’re going to buy the house.”
— On his real estate philosophy

“When you own the real estate, you can control the real estate. [We want] to keep local families here in Hawaii. If we can control who the home goes to, then we try to do that.”
— On community-focused flipping

“We’ve always been entrepreneurs. We just hadn’t found our thing yet.”
— On discovering real estate

Favorites

• Island: Oahu (ancestral home for 64 generations)
• Hobbies: Landscape photography, surfing culture, family ukulele sessions
• Food: Hawaiian cuisine, traditional island cooking
• Design Style: Modern island minimalism that pays homage to local architecture
• Business Philosophy: Off-market sales to local families
• Car/Transport: Not publicly specified
• Vacation Spot: Home—he never wants to leave Hawaii

Earnings

Kamohai and Tristyn’s estimated combined net worth is approximately $3–$5 million as of 2026, though exact figures are private. Their income derives from multiple streams:

• Real Estate Flipping: Profits from 70+ home renovations in one of America’s most expensive markets
• HGTV Salary: Hosting fees for Renovation Aloha and Rock the Block
• Photography Sales: Landscape prints through Kamohai Kalama Photography
• Podcast/YouTube: Deals & Aloha content and brand partnerships

Early in their real estate career, the couple reported earning approximately $50,000–$120,000 annually each, but their financial trajectory has grown exponentially with television exposure and increased deal flow. Industry observers note they now operate on a seven-figure annual household income.

Interesting Facts

• Kamohai’s family has lived in Hawaii for 64 generations, making his roots among the deepest of any HGTV host.
• He has 87 first cousins because his father was one of 11 siblings.
• He met Tristyn while recovering from addiction at a treatment center where she was interning.
• He and his brother once owned three Aloha Beach Club retail locations before pivoting to real estate.
• His father blesses every completed renovation with an ukulele song.
• He uses his own landscape photography to stage the homes he flips.
• The couple went from $80,000 in debt to millionaire status in less than a decade.
• Their real estate company is a true family business, involving cousins who are contractors, cabinet makers, and garbage collectors.
• Kamohai and Tristyn underwent a noticeable weight loss transformation in 2026, which they addressed publicly after fan speculation.

Did You Know Already?

• Kamohai and Tristyn sell many of their homes off-market to avoid commissions and keep prices accessible for local families.
• Their podcast, Deals & Aloha, launched in 2022 and documents both their business and love story.
• Kamohai graduated from Kamehameha Schools, a prestigious institution founded by the estate of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop to educate children of Native Hawaiian descent.
• The couple’s HGTV journey began after Tristyn saw a late-night infomercial for a real estate seminar and dragged a skeptical Kamohai to attend.
• They have created hundreds of local jobs through their renovation projects across Oahu.

Social Media Links

• Instagram (Shared): @kamohaiandtristyn
• YouTube: Kamohai & Tristyn Kalama / Deals & Aloha Podcast
• HGTV Profile: Kamohai Kalama on HGTV
• TikTok: Fan clips and show highlights

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Kamohai Kalama?
Kamohai Kalama was born on September 20, 1981, making him 44 years old as of 2026.

Who is Kamohai Kalama’s wife?
He is married to Tristyn Kalama, a licensed mental health counselor turned real estate designer and HGTV co-host. They met at a substance abuse treatment center and have been married for nearly a decade.

How many children does Kamohai Kalama have?
He has two children: daughter Yasiel (born 2018) and son Vale (born 2020).

What is Kamohai Kalama’s net worth?
His estimated combined net worth with Tristyn is $3–$5 million, built through real estate flipping, HGTV hosting, and photography.

What shows is Kamohai Kalama on?
He co-hosts HGTV’s Renovation Aloha (Season 3 premiered March 31, 2026) and competed in Season 6 of Rock the Block.

How did Kamohai Kalama get into real estate?
After struggling with a clothing store business and accumulating $80,000 in debt, he and Tristyn attended a real estate seminar in 2018 and began flipping homes on Oahu.

Where does Kamohai Kalama live?
He resides on Oahu, Hawaii, near Kaneohe and Kailua, where his family has lived for 64 generations.

Conclusion

Kamohai Kalama’s story is one of the most remarkable redemption arcs in reality television. From addiction and jail time to building a multi-million-dollar real estate empire and starring on HGTV, he has proven that transformation is possible with faith, family, and fierce determination. At 44, with a thriving business, a loving marriage, two beautiful children, and a television platform that celebrates Native Hawaiian culture, Kamohai continues to flip houses and change lives—one aloha-filled renovation at a time.

If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fellow HGTV fans and let us know your favorite Renovation Aloha moment in the comments.