Maui’s McLaughlin has gone from homeless to reality show host
Real estate agent joins American Dream TV for new reality series
Trending
WAILUKU – Kim McLaughlin was living in a shelter in Lahaina several years ago when she decided to change her life and become a real estate agent.
A single mother living paycheck to paycheck, she used the moment as an opportunity to better her life and the life of her children. Now, years later and as many on the island continue to cope with the difficulties of Maui's challenging housing situation, she is ready to give back as the new host for the Emmy-nominated television show The American Dream TV.
"I feel super grateful. This is a unique opportunity to have a consistent voice for Maui and start bringing in a more positive atmosphere," she said.
The American Dream TV is a lifestyle show with over 50-70 million viewers per episode across outlets such as HGTV, Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, and more.
The show, anticipated to debut in October, will feature McLaughlin as she leads interviews with local business owners and residents.
Cameron Huber, client success representative at American Dream TV, said currently the channel is working with individual real estate agents in Hawai'i for the new series that will highlight the culture and lifestyle here in the islands.
"We believe it provides an opportunity for positive media," he said.
McLaughlin said she hopes the show will help raise spirits and encourage local residents and communities to be self-sustaining by helping to showcase local voices.
"I feel that if we can highlight these people on a national level, when visitors do come, they will be more personalized to our local community and more respectful overall," she said.
She expects some parts of the show to highlight the emotional resilience of Maui following the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that left thousands displaced and took more than 100 lives.
"I am highlighting folks from our local demographic to give them visibility not only within our local community but nationwide, which will help their businesses thrive as local residents and improve their own economical situation," she said.
McLaughlin recently closed her own company called Boots on the Ground Maui, which donated thousands of dollars to Maui Firefighters. She said she believes being a part of rebuilding Maui in a proactive manner is what attracted her to becoming a host for the show.
"It's an opportunity to highlight people in the community that are doing the same thing...that are just working really hard, trying to live a good life, be good people and be committed to their communities," she said. "It's a chance to really highlight how special they are so people can see how magical it is here and have more of a respectful attitude when they come as you would as a guest in anyone's home."
For more information visit https://americandreamnetwork.tv.