HGTV lovers have been enamored with watching their favorite couples flip homes on the continental United States.
And let’s just say it’s going to add a new level of stress!
As Tristyn put it, “We’re taking on new exciting things we’ve never done before.”
Image by Zanda Rice, HGTV
The Kalamas Discuss the Bringing Spirit of Aloha to HGTV Viewers
COLLIDER: Hi!
KAMOHAI KALAMA:Hey, how’s it going?
I’m doing great.
Image via HGTV
Congratulations on Season two!
TRISTYN KALAMA:Thank you!
KAMOHAI:Thank you so much, hank you.
Image via HGTV
Let’s start easy.
What is it about Hawaii that makes it such a special place?
We have the spirit of aloha moving throughout our culture.
It’s in how you show up in the world.
It’s how you treat people.
It’s how you conduct business.
It’s just really, really special.
KAMOHAI: Yeah, I mean, my family goes back 64 generations.
We are a piece of this place.
Our blood and our roots are here.
For me, it’s just exactly what Tristyn said about the people and the connections.
Not only to each other but to the land, to the mountains, to the ocean.
We’re just so deeply intertwined and in cohesion with it all.
I mean, it’s possible for you to’t also beat the unreal beaches.
TRISTYN: And the food.
TRISTYN: You know the world looks at Hawaii because of aloha and how you really treat people.
To bring about resolution.
So yeah, I don’t know if that answers your question.
Absolutely, it does.
I mean, my dream is to visit Hawaii one day.
I’ve never been.
What are the must does when I finally get to visit?
TRISTYN: Oh my gosh, there are so many things to do.
if you’re gluten-free or vegan, like forget it because you better try amazing Hawaiian food.
KAMOHAI: Definitely Hawaiian food.
My favorite place in the world.
Right behind Waiahole Poi Factory.
They grow up the Kaula right there.
They make the poi right there.
Right through Waiahole Poi Factory.
I mean you have to come to the beaches on the east side.
East side beaches have the best sand and the clearest water.
TRISTYN: We have amazing hiking.
There’s so many trails.
But yeah, I mean when you come, just text me.
I’ll take you
Absolutely!
TRISTYN: Yes
The show is so amazing.
How have your lives changed since Season One?
TRISTYN: Oh drastically.
Entrepreneurial, but didn’t have any aspirations or goal to be on television, right?
And now the world really knows who we are.
You know what I mean?
TRISTYN: So much.
KAMOHAI: Like we’re saying earlier, it’s like in us, right?
And so we love the fact that our local community loves the show.
We’re so proud of you guys.
And you’re showing Hawaii well.
Not about show ratings.
Not about the renovation, but just people saying thank you for representing Hawaii.
That means, and that’s the stuff that sticks.
It was like woah!
This is real yeah!
This is crazy!"
That really gives you some perspective of the kind of viewership that the show has.
Andd the impact that we’re kind of making.
TRISTYN: And we’re just blessed to be able to represent our culture and Hawaii.
So yeah, it’s really cool.
The very first episode changed everything for Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack.
What is it like hearing reactions from people who are not from Hawaii learning about Hawaii through your show?
TRISTYN: It’s really, really cool.
I love when I find factois on the show that I didn’t know about.
You know everyone has some throw in of connection to Hawaii.
Whether they’re from there, they spent time there, or they want to go there.
And so it means so much to us to be able to just share.
This is what we’ll do moving forward.
Our whole goal is always to elevate our community.
And a lot of shows kind of show you that perspective, right?
and so when Tristyn and I got into it, we’re like, we want to show everything.
Our life, but like the cultural side to what makes Hawaii beautiful.
The community and how that makes Hawaii beautiful.
That means everything to us.
To be able to share that with people from around the world.
Let’s discuss the world of flipping.
What is it about the world of real estate and renovation that keeps you coming back for more?
TRISTYN: Oh man.
KAMOHAI: I think it’s a few things.
TRISTYN: What are a few things?
There are a ton of things!
KAMOHAI: Tristan and I come from different but similar backgrounds.
We’re both in the business of helping people before we got into real estate.
And so that, at the core of everything we do, is our passion.
We found real estate, which we can make money at.
That’s great, right?
They’re not bank financeable.
And that’s what real estate offers that not a lot of other industries offer.
TRISTYN: When we found real estate, we were struggling to make ends meet.
We were living paycheck to paycheck.
it allowed us to achieve homeownership where we were both born and raised.
It allowed us to actually achieve financial stability in one of the most expensive markets in the country.
And so so so much more.
That’s why we keep coming back, and we’re not going anywhere when it comes to it.
TRISTYN: Our relationship.
KAMOHAI: Right, with our relationship, and be able to work together.
TRISTYN: Amen to that.
And, there’s nothing better then transformation.
We have a shortage of housing.
And that’s a big piece to it as well.
Absolutely
TRISTYN: That’s probably the biggest piece.
And the transformations are really just phenomenal.
Do you have any favorite design or construction trends that you’ve been incorporating in your renovations?
TRISTYN: Oh my gosh,
KAMOHAI: There you go babe.
TRISTYN: I’m gonna tell everyone that Kamohai is a down-low designer.
He loves all this stuff, okay?
But honestly, I really lean in to organic modern and mid-century.
Asian flare of vibes, of design, because I just feel like it’s so timeless.
When you go organic modern, you’re really staying in a neutral palette.
It’ll be in style.
I feel like 20, 30, 40 years from now.
Location for a huge part.
What was originally in the home.
When the home is built.
It’s just it.
KAMOHAI: It fits very well in our architecture and community here in Hawaii.
It was just elevated.
TRISTYN: Thank you.
KAMOHAI: She’s able to do that like no one I know.
You’ll see a lot of different things Season 2.
KAMOHAI: Yeah, we pushed the boundaries Season 2.
And that was this, and that was this.
OK that one was this."
You’ll see so many different things, and I think that always makes design fun.
Tristyn and Kamohai Discuss How To Work With Family
Now,Renovation Alohais a family affair.
That’s the question!
I think it’s more integration and having fun at every point.
But I think what it boils down to is having roles.
KAMOHAI: Yeah, it all come down to having roles.
I think at the core of it, it’s, I am madly in love with my wife.
TRISTYN: Same, and I’m madly in love with you.
KAMOHAI: So there is nothing that we cannot do together.
Making sure on the same page and having fun together at the end of the day.
So we make good use out of that time to be able to separate it.
But when you’re doing what we’re doing, you’re pretty much on 24/7.
There’s always something that can come up.
But, the good thing is, we hire family to be able to help delegate.
They get to also make a living, and they help us with freeing up our time.
KAMOHAI: Oh my God.
KAMOHAI: Wow
TRISTYN: New.
My word’s new.
because it’s new for so many reasons.
We’re doing new things.
We’re going to new places.
We’re taking on new exciting things we’ve never done before.
KAMOHAI: Mine would be similar, but it’s unexpected
TRISTYN: OK.
I’m excited
TRISTYN: You got a two-for-one.
You got two words!
KAMOHAI: Unexpected, yeah.
Well, congratulations on the show.
I can’t wait to tune in for Season two!
TRISTYN: Thank you so much.
It was nice talking to you
Thank you!
Your Rating
Your comment has not been saved
