What Happened
Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama -- the husband-and-wife duo behind HGTV's Renovation Aloha -- are facing $40,000 in fines for allegedly operating illegal vacation rentals on the island of Oahu, according to a May 2026 report by Honolulu Civil Beat.
The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting confirmed that one waterfront property, listed in Tristyn's name at $1,000 per night, drew a $10,000 fine after investigation. A second property in Mililani accrued $30,000 in fines for operating as a short-term rental without the required permit. None of the fines have been paid, according to a DPP spokesperson.
The case has drawn significant public attention given the Kalamas' public profile and their brand, which is built around renovating and revitalizing Hawaiian homes.
Check the Rules on LawfulStay
LawfulStay tracks short-term rental rules place by place. Each place page shows where each rule comes from, an official source or news reports, and when it was last checked. Places we have not verified yet are labelled that way.
Find your city in the LawfulStay regulations directory.
Key Takeaways for Hosts
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Research local STR law before you list -- not after. Honolulu has some of the strictest short-term rental regulations in the country. What is legal in one Hawaiian county may be completely prohibited in another.
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Unpaid fines do not disappear -- they compound. Honolulu's DPP can issue fines on a per-day basis for ongoing violations. Ignoring citations dramatically increases your total financial exposure and can lead to property liens.
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A public profile makes non-compliance more visible, not less. High-profile operators are more likely to attract complaints from neighbors, journalists, and regulators.
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Permits must match your actual property use. Renovation and design work -- even for a TV show -- does not grant any exemption from local STR licensing requirements.
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"Everyone else is doing it" is not a legal defense. Honolulu has thousands of illegal STR units, but enforcement is active and increasing.
The Bigger Picture
The Kalama case reflects a nationwide pattern of STR enforcement intensifying in high-demand, housing-stressed markets. Hawaii in particular has faced acute political pressure to address the housing crisis, with short-term rentals frequently cited as a driver of displacement for local residents.
Regulatory agencies across the state are under public pressure to enforce existing rules, making high-profile violators -- especially those with media visibility -- a predictable enforcement target.
Stay Compliant
Whether you host one property or a portfolio, operating legally starts with knowing the rules in your specific jurisdiction.
Check your city on LawfulStay.com -- our database covers thousands of jurisdictions worldwide, including comprehensive profiles for every major Hawaiian county. Know before you list.