What does it take to succeed in Hawai‘i in your line of work?
Passion, perseverance, ability, sincerity, sensitivity, innovation and optimism. Appreciate your relationships and maintain your reputation and credibility while understanding the demographics of your intended market.
Words to live by:
No guts, no glory.
What advice do you have for young real estate developers?
Work hard, understand your market, value your relationships and always do the right thing. Get involved in community service—you’ll meet people from different fields who you would otherwise never meet.
What is your perspective on the changing Honolulu skyline? Do more cranes and towers equal a healthy building industry?
Honolulu is an extremely undersupplied housing market across the entire spectrum of household income distribution. This is reflected in one of the highest median home prices and rents in the nation. More housing inventory is needed in the already supply-constrained market that is causing a socio-economic imbalance in our community, resulting in multigenerational households and undue domestic stress.
What industry trends do you see unfolding in Hawai‘i?
Transit-oriented development. The 20-mile, 21-station rail line will transform how we commute on O‘ahu, creating opportunities to revitalize neighborhoods and promote commerce. In order to ensure the development of transit-oriented development, both the city and the state need to make the commitment to build adequate infrastructure capacity while constructing the guideway and stations. This will allow for the development community to confidently invest the time and funds necessary to develop needed housing and amenities, along with transit nodes. The critical mass will ensure easy access for ridership, create construction jobs and generate a perpetual income stream in general excise tax and real property tax to the state and city and county.
Which of your design awards are you most proud of and why?
I would have to say our numerous Building Industry Association Parade of Homes awards over the last 26 years, but also our 16 Western National awards, including the coveted Golden Nugget Award at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference back in 1994. Last year’s Smart Growth America’s LOCUS award for Developer of the Year is a treasured national award.
