In Hawaii real estate, staying relevant means staying connected. We’ve got to go far beyond the beach and the island. Now that everyone is so intertwined, the world seems so much smaller than 22 years ago, which was when I started my career here in Kona. Hawaii is not so isolated anymore—we are certainly affected by the US economy and the global economy.
Just last week, Emil and I traveled to O‘ahu for Compass Elevate, an exclusive event bringing together top-producing agents from every island. This conference was a great reminder for me that relationships are the real currency.
From the Big Island to the Big Leagues
We had the privilege of flying to Honolulu with none other than Chris Cortazzo, the legendary Malibu super-agent known for selling over $1 billion in real estate in a single year as a solo agent. Yes, really. Sharing that flight (and some amazing Islander Sake) on his private jet was an experience that reminded me how important proximity to greatness can be. Being humble and genuine is truly important.
A day before, we also sat down with Andrew Jevin, one of the most forward-thinking digital agents in the Compass network. He’s been leading workshops across the country on building presence and engagement through social media. Picking his brain over lunch? Easily one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had this year. Did you notice the improvement in our recent stories and posts on the Instagram?? Please follow us if you haven’t already!
We also spent valuable time with Parker Beatty, VP at Compass, and Nick Belardo, Compass’s Chief of Marketing. These aren’t just high-level contacts anymore—they’re people we can now call directly when strategy, marketing, or creative solutions are needed for a listing or a launch.
Real Estate Is Global, Especially in Hawaii
I’ve always believed that smart travel leads to stronger business. Before the pandemic, I traveled often. In 2025, I’ve already been to Japan twice, which resulted in a meeting with Shohei Ohtani in the LA Dodgers! Since 2017, I’ve referred out over $260 million in business to trusted agents across New York, California, Honolulu, and Japan. And I’ve received powerful referrals in return, including one for a $40 million buyer.
This spring, I’m heading to Palm Beach for the REALM Global Collective and to Denver for other Compass conferences. For me, those trips are investments for service, knowledge, and long-term relationships.
Understanding the Feeder Markets
Nearly 100% of our buyers come from outside the islands. That means knowing where they’re coming from—and what’s happening in those markets—is essential.
According to data from Title Guaranty, Google, and Compass, here’s how the top feeder markets broke down for the Big Island in 2023:
Primary U.S. Buyer Markets:
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California (43%) – San Francisco, Silicon Valley, East Bay, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego
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Hawaii (16%) – Primarily O‘ahu-based
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Washington (8%) – Seattle, Portland
Emerging U.S. Markets:
Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston), New York, Florida, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oregon
Top International Buyers:
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Japan: $109M invested in 2023
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Canada: $10M
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Korea and China follow
This matters for two key reasons:
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Strategic Marketing: We can now target buyers in specific cities through precision digital campaigns, so there’s no more guessing where the demand is.
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Purposeful Networking: When I travel to places like Tokyo, Palm Beach, or New York, I can deepen relationships in the exact markets where our future buyers are.
Trusted Referrals Are Valuable Relationships
( Greg Mebel, Maui | Jim Karlovsky, Kauai | Jason Cary, Oahu)
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned? Not every agent is the right fit for every client. I’ve had a few early missteps with referrals that didn’t meet expectations. It taught me a valuable truth: referring a client is deeply personal.
That’s why Emil and I work hard to cultivate relationships with agents who treat our clients with the same care and professionalism we do. We aim to know more than one trusted partner in every major feeder market—people I can call friends who are a quick phone call (or jet ride) away.
Staying Ahead in a Fast-Moving Market
Real estate doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by the economy, by shifting lifestyles, and most importantly—by the people.
Traveling, networking, sharing sake with legends in the industry, asking the right questions, building real friendships—these are the investments that keep us current, connected, and always ready to serve.
We want you to know that we’ll keep showing up—in O‘ahu, in Japan, in LA, or wherever you are—because that’s where the future of KE Team is being shaped.