Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama are a husband-and-wife real estate duo from Oʻahu, Hawaii, known for hosting HGTV’s Renovation Aloha. They rose to fame by flipping dilapidated island homes into high-end listings, all while professing a mission to “bring homes back to life” for local families.

However, behind the tropical TV glamour, the Kalamas’ professional practices have been mired in controversy and legal challenges. This report details their public career timeline and verified controversies – including building permit violations, regulatory sanctions, lawsuits or legal disputes, and other scandals – with all claims backed by public sources. A summary timeline table is provided below for context, followed by in-depth sections on their background and the issues that have come to light.

Tristyn (a design stager) and Kamohai (a former business analyst) Kalama hail from Oʻahu and long aspired to work in real estate. In interviews, they describe being entrepreneurs who “just hadn’t found our thing yet” until around 2019–2020 when they attended a real estate flipping seminar.

At that time, they were struggling financially (by their own account, “just trying to make ends meet” and reportedly carrying significant debt) but decided to give house-flipping a try.

They founded a company – eventually known as Stand Firm Developments – and began buying distressed homes across Oʻahu: often aging, unmaintained properties (some “full of stuff” and “unlivable”) that could be rehabbed and resold for a profit.

Kamohai has roots in the islands dating back “64 generations” and has said their goal is to keep local families in Hawaiʻi by “breathing aloha” into neglected houses rather than tearing them down.

In practice, the Kalamas developed a reputation for taking on the worst houses – “if the house isn’t falling down, then it’s fixable,” Kamohai often says – and turning them into modernized homes attractive to buyers.

This bold approach caught the attention of HGTV producers. Renovation Aloha was announced in late 2023 as a new series following the Kalamas’ house-flipping adventures, capitalizing on the popularity of renovation reality shows and the unique Hawaiian setting.

All of this established the Kalamas as prominent figures in Hawaii’s real estate scene by late 2024, with a growing social media following and a supportive fan base.

Behind the scenes, however, the seeds of scandal were being sown in how they were managing their rapid flips. Hawaii’s building permit system is notoriously slow and backlogged – obtaining a permit for renovations can take “months or even years” in Honolulu.

The Kalamas publicly complained about this “outdated and corrupt”permit process, and even backed a legislative proposal to allow homeowners to start building while permits are pending (an idea they championed as a solution for housing shortages).

. It appears the Kalamas also took matters into their own hands: to meet TV production schedules and maximize profits, they frequently skipped waiting for official permit approvals and went ahead with construction. This approach – essentially “ask for forgiveness, not permission” – remained largely out of public view until local journalists started digging into permitting records toward the end of Season

1.Permit & Code Violations Scandal (“Renovate Without A Permit”)

Unpermitted Renovations: A home in Pearl City, Oʻahu, renovated by the Kalamas for Renovation Aloha, had no renovation permit approved at the time it was listed for sale. This Season 2 property is one example of a pattern: the Kalamas often began major construction work on flips before securing required permits, finishing and selling homes without full county inspections.

The core controversy surrounding Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama is their repeated disregard of building permit laws in their professional flipping projects. The December 2024 Civil Beat investigation found a pattern of permit avoidance across multiple projects. In Honolulu, any significant building, electrical, or plumbing work requires a permit from DPP to ensure code compliance and safety standards.

Yet the Kalamas regularly started construction without permits, or far beyond the scope of what was allowed, and only sorted out the paperwork after the fact – if at all.

Some notable examples documented in public records:

• Kalihi “Monster” Flip (Season 1, Ep.1): The Kalamas undertook a “$425,000 job” merging two structures into one multigenerational home (adding a new roof, lifting part of the house onto stilts, and renovating multiple kitchens/baths).. However, the permit on file described only “new windows and a carport” costing $80,000. No permits were obtained for the new roof or major structural alterations (and plumbing permits were conspicuously absent despite added bathrooms). Essentially, the official plans did not match the reality of the extensive work done. Honolulu’s DPP concluded the Kalamas had provided false or incomplete information on the permit application, leading the agency to revoke the permit entirely. This left the project with no valid permit for its renovations – a serious violation.

• Kāneʻohe House (“Held Up by Car Jacks”, Season 1, Ep.3): This flip involved replacing the entire foundation and floor structure, rebuilding the deck, and installing new electrical systems (like split AC) and a pergola – all done without permits. A violation notice later documented these unpermitted alterations in detail, and the Kalamas (or the property owner on their behalf) were instructed to obtain after-the-fact permits or face penalties. The Kalamas initially contested this violation, indicating they may be disputing some findings or fines through an appeals process.

• Aliʻi Shores “Bee Infestation” Flip (Season 1, Ep.2): After sale, this Kaneʻohe Bay-area home was cited in Dec 2024 for “extensive alterations installed without permits, including a bathroom, deck, and substantial plumbing and electrical work.. The new owner, upon learning this, contacted the Kalamas’ representatives; reportedly a belated building permit application would be filed to legalize the work.

• Holua Way, Kalihi (Season 1): This property (nicknamed the “Bee House” on the show) had major structural repairs – the Kalamas even removed a tree growing through the house and jacked up a settling portion of the structure.

• Yet the permit obtained covered only window replacements and a carport. All the structural work was done without proper review. After the flip was sold, the new owners were hit with a violation notice and told to secure a retroactive permit (at triple fee cost) because the Kalamas had skipped the permitting process. In essence, “the owner is left holding the bag,” as DPP Director Apuna put it, having to clean up permitting issues they never knew about.

• Pearl City “Junk” Flip (Season 2, Ep.1): Even after controversy erupted, Season 2’s first episode in early 2025 showed the Kalamas ostensibly pulling permits – Kamohai narrates that “Permits are approved, and the $10,000 subfloor repair has begun.”But records revealed the permit for that project was actually still pending at the time they commenced and completed the repair. By the time the city approved it, the home was already finished and on the market (it eventually sold for a ~$140k profit). This suggested that, on camera, the Kalamas were now acknowledging permits verbally while still not truly waiting for them in practice.

The motivation behind this permit skirting is apparent: speed and profit. Honolulu’s slow bureaucracy meant waiting many months for approvals, which could jeopardize the tight turnaround times needed to flip houses quickly (and to film TV episodes on schedule). By ignoring permit delays, the Kalamas dramatically shortened their project timelines, enabling flips in just a few weeks.

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This translated into huge profits: as noted, Season 1 flips netted over a million dollars in gains, and the penalties for getting caught were initially minuscule by comparison. One analysis found that the extra “violation” fees and fines the Kalamas paid were <2% of their profits, effectively just a cost of doing business. Kamohai himself hinted at this in a podcast, saying that they’ve managed to “create money out of thin air” through real estate flipping – a statement now cast in a different light given the shortcuts taken.

Public safety and code experts have strongly criticized this approach. Cheryl Cudiamat, president of Structural Hawaiʻi (an engineering firm), likened the Kalamas’ permit-dodging to “playing a game of Russian roulette.”

Even experienced builders can miss structural code issues, she warned, and “what if there is something they don’t know about?. Without the permit process, there’s no independent check that renovations are structurally sound or done by licensed professionals.

Typically, city inspectors would review the work as it’s being done, but if work is hidden behind new walls by the time anyone looks, defects can go unnoticed. Indeed, homebuyers only get standard home inspections (which are limited visual checks) and often rely on the seller’s word that everything was done properly.

Thus, the Kalamas’ buyers potentially faced serious undisclosed risks – from unreinforced structures in a hurricane zone, to improper wiring that could cause fires, to new additions (decks, bathrooms, etc.) that might not meet code. If and when those issues surface (for instance, if a future renovation or a neighbor’s complaint triggers a city inspection), the current owner must pay to bring the work up to code or even tear it out entirely.

The Kalamas have denied intentionally cutting corners. They argue that Hawaii’s permitting delays forced their hand and that they do ensure quality in construction. Kamohai claimed in interviews that they “know [they’re] doing it right”even without full permits, and pointed out that permitting wait times have improved recently (implying future projects will be easier to do by the book).

The couple also assert they “work with licensed contractors” and hire local crews for all jobs, suggesting they aren’t doing unsafe DIY work. (On at least one flip, a licensed contractor was listed on the minimal permit obtained, though it’s unclear if that contractor oversaw all the unpermitted portions or was possibly just a proxy). Despite their defense, the evidence shows a clear pattern of flouting regulations, which has led to significant fallout described below.

Regulatory and Legal Actions Taken

City enforcement: Once the Kalamas’ permitting practices became public, Honolulu officials reacted with increased oversight and penalties. Key actions have included:

• Violation Notices: As noted, at least nine (9) violation notices for unpermitted construction were issued in Dec 2024–Jan 2025 alone, targeting various properties tied to the Kalamas. These official notices require the recipient to cease violations and correct them (typically by obtaining after-the-fact permits and paying triple fees).

• Several Season 1 homes ended up under active violation by early 2025. For example, the Aliʻi Shores and Kāneʻohe flips detailed earlier each received formal notices in December 2024, and another home co-owned by the Kalamas faced a notice in January 2025. Some notices warned that daily fines would accrue if the situation wasn’t addressed. (Daily fines can be hefty, e.g. $100–$1000 per day, and one property had already accumulated over $30k in fines by ignoring a prior stop-work order.)

• Permit Revocation: The Honolulu DPP’s decision to revoke the Kalihi house permit in Dec 2024 was significant. It’s relatively rare for the city to pull a permit after issuance, and this step indicated the department felt the permit was obtained under false pretenses (an act that could potentially lead to further penalties or even legal liability for misrepresentation).

• As DPP Director Apuna said, the submitted plans were so incomplete as to be misleading, hence “we are in the process of revoking the permit.” The immediate consequence is that the work done on that project is officially unapproved; the homeowners now must apply for new permits and inspections retroactively, a complex and expensive process with no guarantee all the work will be accepted as is.

• Stop-Work Orders: At least one property had a stop-work order issued (a directive to halt construction) which the Kalamas’ crew did not heed. This was the Kāneʻohe flip in mid-2024: city records show the project was partially demolished and an illegal addition started without permits, prompting officials to order work to stop – an order that was ignored as work continued. As a result, by early 2025 that property had run up daily fines exceeding $30,000. Ignoring a stop-work order is a serious infraction that can lead to legal action; it demonstrates willful violation of city directives.

• Fines and Fees: Beyond daily fines in extreme cases, the Kalamas have been assessed various one-time penalties. Under Honolulu law, if you’re caught building without a permit, you must pay a triple permit fee for when you do belatedly apply, plus separate fines (often a few thousand dollars) for the violation.

• For instance, the Kalihi Episode 1 house was retroactively charged about $1,400 in triple permit fees and $2,800 in fines for starting work prior to approval. Similar fines (in the low-to-mid four figures) were levied on other Season 1 projects when they finally filed permits. The total of these fines (approx. $20k across multiple homes) was noted as a slap on the wrist relative to the profits. However, if any future violations occur on the sameproperty, much stiffer progressive fines could kick in – a scenario the Kalamas have avoided by always moving to a new house.

• City Official Meetings: In an interesting twist, the Kalamas reached out to DPP Director Apuna in December 2024 in hopes of mitigating the fallout. Emails obtained by Civil Beat show that on Dec 12, the Kalamas requested a meeting and proposed a “collaboration” with DPP to “repair both of their reputations.”They pitched an idea to feature Honolulu’s permitting department in a positive light on Renovation Aloha, showcasing improvements in efficiency and “commitment to transparency”. Essentially, they offered to use their show as PR for the city agency if DPP would partner with them. Director Apuna did meet with them, but declined to participate in any such partnership. She later remarked, “I think they’re realizing [people are] injured by [their] bad decisions and they want to make it right. The way to make it right is to not do it again.” This indicates the city’s stance: the Kalamas need to follow the rules moving forward rather than seeking a public relations fix.

At the state level, the revelation that the Kalamas’ production company applied for a $330,000 state film tax creditstirred controversy. Hawaii offers rebates to film/TV productions, and Renovation Aloha could qualify. But critics argued it would be outrageous to reward a show built on flouting state laws. “We should not be paying for illegal work… our tax money is going to waste,” said one local engineering firm president when asked about the prospect of the show getting public funds.

The Hawaii Film Office did not disclose whether the credit was granted (citing confidentiality), and as of early 2025 it remained under review. This issue could become moot if the show faces cancellation or if the Kalamas are deemed to have violated conditions (productions generally must follow all laws to get the credit). Nonetheless, it added another layer of reputational damage – painting the picture that the Kalamas sought taxpayer money while bending rules for profit.

Potential criminal or civil liability: It’s worth noting that, so far, the official response has been administrative (permits, fines) rather than criminal. Building without a permit in Honolulu is typically a civil code violation, not a criminal offense, unless fraud is involved. If authorities believed the Kalamas intentionally submitted false plans (as implied in the Kalihi case), in theory that could be referred for investigation as fraudulent permitting.

However, no public information has emerged about any criminal charges. The Kalamas have hired attorneys (they did not comment to Civil Beat, instead presumably speaking through lawyers), so they are likely navigating these issues legally but quietly. The DPP director did mention that current law wasn’t well-designed to punish serial flippers operating across many properties, which suggests enforcement may be limited under existing regulations. This gap in the law might even spur new legislation (some councilmembers discussed tightening permit rules for “serial violators”).

Lawsuits and Disputes with Buyers or Partners

Another serious consequence of the Kalamas’ actions is the risk of lawsuits from homebuyers or other parties. Since the controversy broke, there have been indications of legal disputes brewing:

• Homebuyer Legal Action: The family who bought the first Season 1 house (Kalihi) said they were “exploring their legal options” after discovering the undisclosed structural issues. This typically implies they are considering a lawsuit for misrepresentation or construction defects. If the sellers (the Kalamas) failed to disclose known unpermitted work or problems, they could be liable under real estate disclosure laws. The presence of mold and structural cracking, which could render the home unsafe, strengthens a potential claim. As Councilman Weyer alluded, these buyers “getting a remedy” might require HGTV or the flippers to step in and pay for repairs– otherwise litigation may be the route.

• Multiple Buyers Affected:

• According to social media chatter and comments from local officials, more than one set of buyers might be pursuing recourse. Civil Beat’s reporting noted “buyers (plural) who might not have been aware of what they were getting” are now facing costs and trouble. A Facebook post summarizing the saga in early 2025 stated “some of the flip buyers are suing the couple for subpar work.”. While that quote is from a social media discussion (and thus not an official source we can verify directly), it aligns with the known fact pattern – at least one or two buyers have signaled intent to sue or demand fixes. At minimum, the threat of lawsuits looms if the Kalamas do not make these buyers whole. Notably, one buyer in Kāneʻohe (who bought the home that had the stop-work order and fines) told Civil Beat that the Kalamas “have agreed to pay any permitting-related fines” for them. This suggests the Kalamas are trying to mitigate angry customers by covering penalties so that new owners aren’t out of pocket. Covering fines, however, may not suffice if there are physical defects – repairs could cost tens or hundreds of thousands.

• Contractor/Partner Issues: It’s unclear if any contractors or partners have taken action. The permit records show a local contractor’s name was used on at least one permit (for electrical work) If that contractor did not actually oversee the project, they could face license sanctions, which might lead them to distance themselves or even claim the Kalamas misused their credentials. No such allegations have surfaced publicly yet.

• Additionally, HGTV (and its parent company) could be at risk if buyers sue for reliance on the show’s portrayal – though typically contracts when buying a house disclaim TV representations. However, HGTV likely has clauses with the hosts about adhering to laws; a blatant breach could put their production contract in dispute. There’s no public info that HGTV has sued or penalized the Kalamas, but these behind-the-scenes tensions could exist.

• Defamation or Response from the Kalamas: The Kalamas have felt under fire from the media reports. They characterized Civil Beat’s article as “misleading” and not reflective of “the values we hold dear”. They have not, however, taken any legal action (like a defamation suit) against Civil Beat or other outlets – and given the public record evidence, such a move would be unlikely to succeed.

• Instead, their strategy has been public relations: issuing statements, doing local TV spots to tell their side, and attempting the DPP partnership as mentioned. They appear focused on salvaging their reputation and continuing their business rather than engaging in courtroom battles.

At this point (early 2025), no specific lawsuit outcomes have been reported in the public domain. We can anticipate that if repairs are not handled amicably, some buyers will file suit for damages. Such cases might allege fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent construction, or violation of consumer protection laws. The Kalamas’ promise to operate with “integrity… and transparency” will certainly be scrutinized against their actions. It’s also possible that regulatory fines could convert to liens or court actions if not paid, but again the Kalamas have indicated willingness to pay those promptly (likely to avoid further trouble).

Public and Network Reactions

The controversies surrounding Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama have played out publicly, eliciting strong reactions in Hawaii and among HGTV’s audience:

• Local Community: In Hawaii, where the couple were initially celebrated as hometown success stories, disappointment and criticism have been pronounced. One Native Hawaiian viewer lamented, “We don’t need that hewa (wrongdoing). We don’t need that ‘aʻole pono (not right)”, expressing dismay that the Kalamas, as a Hawaiian couple, would cut corners and bring shame.

•  On the other hand, some locals directed their frustration at the system, acknowledging Honolulu’s “glacial” permitting process and sympathizing with the notion that conventional flipping is almost impossible under such red tape. A Civil Beat commenter even wrote that “massive overregulation” tempts people to “just show [the authorities] the middle finger.” This encapsulates the divided local opinion: many condemn the Kalamas’ methods as unsafe and unethical, while a subset blame the government bureaucracy for creating the temptation. There is also concern that these incidents feed a narrative of house flippers profiting at the expense of unsuspecting local buyers, exacerbating Hawaii’s housing issues.

• HGTV and Viewers: Surprisingly to some, HGTV went ahead with Season 2 despite calls on social media to cancel or postpone it until the permit issues were resolved. The network did not make any public statement addressing the controversy. This led to a degree of fan backlash – on forums like Reddit, viewers shared the Civil Beat articles and expressed outrage that HGTV would continue to air the show while serious violations were outstanding. A Reddit discussion was titled “Local couple discovers they can make loads of money with one simple trick: Not getting building permits”, and many commenters criticized both the Kalamas and HGTV’s oversight.

• Some fans felt HGTV should hold the hosts accountable or at least ensure the issues get fixed for the homeowners. It’s unclear if HGTV imposed any behind-the-scenes requirements (for example, sometimes networks will quietly require cast members to resolve legal troubles), but visibly, the show continued as normal. The Season 2 premiere even incorporated some self-aware references (like the on-air mention of permits) which suggests the producers knew they had to at least acknowledge the elephant in the room. Still, as of the Season 2 run, Renovation Aloha was on the air with the Kalamas at the helm, leaving the court of public opinion to decide their fate.

• Industry and Political Response: Within Hawaii’s construction and real estate industry, the Kalamas’ case has become a cautionary tale. Contractors have pointed out that skirting permits is unfair to those who follow the rules, and it undercuts licensed professionals. The DPP has used this incident to highlight why permits matter, even launching a “Permit Pileup” public awareness series to discuss how to improve the system without encouraging illegal work.

• Politically, it has put pressure on Honolulu’s government both to streamline permits (to remove the “excuse” flippers use) and to tighten enforcement so that others don’t follow suit. Councilmember Matt Weyer’s comments urging HGTV to fix things also imply that if the private side doesn’t act, the city might explore new legislation or penalties. Councilmember Tupola, who previously aligned with the Kalamas on permit reform, has not publicly defended the violations – her focus remains on improving the system legally.

In summary, the public fallout has tarnished the Kalamas’ once-upbeat image. What started as a feel-good story of local kids done good – turning blighted homes into beauties – has been overshadowed by words like “illegal work”, “backlash”, and “violations”. The Kalamas themselves insist their heart is in the right place and that they are “going to continue to do what we know is right” but to critics that sounds tone-deaf given the circumstances. Whether they can rehabilitate their reputation will likely depend on how they resolve the outstanding issues (permits and any compensation to buyers) and whether they truly alter their business practices going forward.