Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama are opening up about what it’s really like to be on TV. The HGTV “Renovation Aloha” stars shared how being so “visible” can come with an unexpected downside: being judged and misunderstood by people who don’t really know them.
Tristyn & Kamohai Kalama Reveal the Downside of Their HGTV Fame
On August 9, Tristyn and Kamohai took to Instagram to explain what it’s like to be so well-known.
“We thought our neighbor was watching and recording us because they didn’t like us. 😂,” they shared in the caption. “Turns out … they were big fans of the show and ended up filming with us a couple times. 🥹🫶🏽”
“And honestly, it was such a good reminder,” they continued. “There’s a side of filming a TV show that people don’t really see. You’re opening up your life, your business, your marriage, your decisions — and putting it all out there for millions of people to have an opinion on.”
Tristyn and Kamohai noted, “Becoming visible to many means being misunderstood by many, too. People will judge. Assume. Criticize. Create an entire story about who you are without ever actually knowing you.”
“That part can be hard,” they shared.
“But then we meet people who tell us they started investing because of the show. That they finally took on the renovation they were scared to do. That they feel represented seeing Hawai’i and our culture on TV,” the HGTV stars wrote. “That they sit down and watch our show together as a family.”
“And THAT is why we keep showing up,” they explained. “For every loud critic, there are so many more of you quietly rooting for us. And we never want to forget that. 🤎”
They added, “So shoutout to the neighbor we thought was spying on us … who was really just part of the Renovation Aloha fam. 😂🤙🏽”
In the video, Tristyn recalled a neighbor at one of their renovation projects who “would watch us from the balcony and record us.”
She said they wondered, “Does he hate us and he’s trying to report us?” adding, “And then, it turns out that he’s a huge fan of the show.”
Tristyn noted, “It’s so wild that people truly are invested in the show. And I think it is cool for them to see that it’s real because a lot of TV shows are not real.”
“We were doing this before and we’ll be doing this after,” she added.
Fans Share Love for the ‘Renovation Aloha’ Stars: ‘So Down to Earth’
There was an outpouring of love in the comments section, with one fan sharing, “We watch the show for YOU GUYS. The magic transformations are just extra credit.”
“One of the reasons my family and I watch you is BECAUSE you are SO down to earth and you’re not all makeup and high heels 🥰,” another fan wrote.
“Love this ❤️ … there’s always good with the bad, but usually the good outweighs ❤️,” one adoring fan noted.
Others wrote, “Miss the show so much, can’t wait for the new season” and “You guys are the real deal.”
“I love your show and you seem so genuine,” another fan commented. “I love how you keep the spirit of Hawaii in the projects you do. I wish you continued success and happiness❤️❤️❤️.”
