Tristyn Kalama is a Hawaiian-born television personality and real estate investor best known as the co-host of HGTV’s Renovation Aloha. She stars on the show alongside her husband, Kamohai Kalama, flipping run-down homes on the island of Oʻahu into modern family spaces. People search for Tristyn Kalama because her path to HGTV is unusual: she spent years as a mental health counselor and non-profit leader before real estate changed her family’s finances and, eventually, her career.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tristyn Kalama |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Profession | Real estate investor, TV host, entrepreneur |
| Known For | Co-hosting a popular home renovation show |
| Birthplace | Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaii |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 4 feet 11 inches (150 cm) tall |
| Husband | Kamohai Kalama |
| Children | Two (Yasiel and Vale) |
| Education | Chaminade University of Honolulu |
| Former Career | Mental health counselor |
| Podcast | Co-host of a real estate podcast |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $1 million to $3 million |
Early Life, Birthplace, and Hawaiian Roots
Tristyn Kalama was born and raised in Kailua, a coastal town on the windward side of Oʻahu. Growing up in a close-knit island community shaped the values she now brings to television and business: family, community, and a deep respect for Hawaiian culture. Her Native Hawaiian heritage is not just a personal detail; it directly influences how she and Kamohai approach renovations. They often speak about honoring the history and character of each neighborhood rather than simply flipping houses for profit.
Education and Early Career
Tristyn graduated from Kalāheo High School in 2008. She went on to attend Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Her education was not random: both of her parents worked in counseling, and she grew up watching them help people through difficult moments. At Chaminade, she also met a lifelong friend and future business partner, and she graduated alongside her parents, Michael and Yvonne Haxton, who were pursuing their own degrees at the same time.
Tristyn Kalama as a Mental Health Counselor
After completing her graduate studies, Tristyn became a licensed mental health counselor, following in her parents’ professional footsteps. She has described counseling and non-profit work as her “first passion.” Before transitioning to real estate, she served as the CEO of Kōkua Support Services, a Hawaii non-profit focused on behavioral health. She remains on its board of directors today. Her counseling background taught her how to listen, build trust, and connect with people—skills she says are just as important in real estate as they were in therapy.
From Counseling to Real Estate
Despite meaningful work, counseling did not pay enough to support a family in Hawaii, one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States. After the birth of their first child, Tristyn and Kamohai were struggling financially and carrying significant debt. Tristyn saw a television commercial for a real estate investing seminar and convinced a skeptical Kamohai to attend with her. That decision marked the beginning of their real estate journey.
Real Estate Business and House Flipping
Starting around 2018, the Kalamas began buying, renovating, and selling homes across Oʻahu through their company, TK Property Solutions. They focused on dilapidated properties that most investors avoided, restoring them while preserving the original character of the home and neighborhood. Their business grew steadily, and they eventually flipped dozens of homes in one of the toughest flipping markets in the country. The couple has also emphasized that their success came from years of sacrifice and hard work, not from family money or a trust fund.
Tristyn Kalama on Renovation Aloha
The couple’s real estate success caught HGTV’s attention, leading to the premiere of Renovation Aloha in 2024. The show follows Tristyn and Kamohai as they transform run-down Hawaiian properties into beautiful family homes, often with the help of their large extended family. Tristyn leads design and storytelling on the show, while Kamohai handles much of the numbers and structural evaluation. Season 3, which aired in 2026, included an emotional episode where the couple renovated Tristyn’s own childhood home.
Other TV Appearances and Projects
- Rock the Block (Season 6): Tristyn and Kamohai competed on HGTV’s renovation competition series, representing Hawaii against other renovation duos in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Social Media: The couple shares behind-the-scenes flips, family moments, and Hawaiian lifestyle content on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
- Flip Tribe Mentorship: Launched in 2026, this program teaches aspiring investors how to start flipping homes.
Tristyn Kalama’s Husband and Family Life
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Husband | Kamohai Kalama |
| Married | March 2016 |
| How They Met | At a counseling facility where Tristyn’s mother was executive director and Kamohai was working as a substance abuse counselor |
| Children | Daughter Yasiel (born December 2016); son Vale (born June 2018) |
| Extended Family | Kamohai has 87 first cousins; many relatives work in the family renovation business |
Tristyn met Kamohai while she was interning at the treatment center her mother ran, and he was working there as a counselor after his own recovery. Her mother gave her approval before Tristyn pursued the relationship. The couple married in March 2016 and have built both a family and a business together. Their marriage is central to their show and their company, with Kamohai handling numbers and structural work while Tristyn leads design and client relationships.
Parents and Family Background
Tristyn’s parents, Michael and Yvonne Haxton, both worked in counseling and behavioral health. Her mother served as the executive director of the treatment center where Tristyn and Kamohai met. Both of her parents pursued degrees at Chaminade University alongside Tristyn, and she has spoken about the importance of doing life—academics, business, and community—alongside family. Tristyn also has a brother, Travis Haxton.
Podcast and Educational Work
Beyond television, Tristyn and Kamohai run Deals & Aloha, a podcast and YouTube platform where they share real estate knowledge with aspiring investors. The podcast first aired in 2022 and covers topics like finding deals, managing flips, and building a real estate business. In 2026, they launched the Flip Tribe Mentorship program to teach others how to start flipping homes, regardless of where they live.
Ethnicity and Hawaiian Heritage
Tristyn identifies with Native Hawaiian heritage and was born and raised on Oʻahu in a family deeply connected to island culture. Her identity is central to how Renovation Aloha is framed: the show presents renovation as a way to preserve Hawaiian housing stock and help local families stay on the island despite rising costs. Tristyn and Kamohai often speak about the responsibility they feel to represent Hawaii authentically on national television.
Challenges and Public Discussions
In 2026, Tristyn and Kamohai faced legal scrutiny after an episode of Renovation Aloha showed footage of human skeletal remains discovered at a property they were scouting. Hawaii’s Attorney General’s Office filed a civil complaint alleging the couple and HGTV broadcast images of iwi kūpuna—Native Hawaiian ancestral remains—without the required written consent from the appropriate burial council or the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The state argued that the broadcast caused profound harm to the Native Hawaiian community. HGTV issued a public apology, and the couple stated they chose to “protect in place” and never build on the lot out of respect for cultural protocol. The lawsuit sought civil penalties and a permanent injunction to remove the footage. The couple has also faced reports of fines for operating illegal short-term rentals in Hawaii.
Conclusion
Tristyn Kalama’s story is unusual for an HGTV host. She began her career as a mental health counselor and non-profit leader, following in her parents’ footsteps. Financial struggles after the birth of her first child pushed her toward real estate, and that decision eventually led to a successful house-flipping business, a hit television show, and a podcast. Tristyn Kalama Hawaiian roots, her marriage to Kamohai, and her commitment to community remain central to her work. As of 2026, she continues to balance filming, family life, and real estate investing while navigating the public challenges that come with fame.
FAQs
What is Tristyn Kalama’s age?
Tristyn was born on May 17. Her exact birth year is not widely documented, but she graduated from high school in 2008.
What is Tristyn Kalama’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. She and Kamohai have built their wealth through real estate flipping, rental income, HGTV hosting, and brand partnerships.
Who is Tristyn Kalama’s husband?
She is married to Kamohai Kalama, her business partner and co-host on Renovation Aloha. They married in March 2016.
Where is Tristyn Kalama from?
She was born and raised in Kailua, on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii.
Does Tristyn Kalama have kids?
Yes. She and Kamohai have two children: a daughter named Yasiel and a son named Vale.
What did Tristyn Kalama do before real estate?
She worked as a licensed mental health counselor and served as CEO of Kōkua Support Services, a Hawaii non-profit focused on behavioral health.
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