What’s one decision that completely changed the course of your career?
The decision that completely changed my career was choosing to stay with the company after my dad sold the business to the employees and transitioned it into an ESOP. At that point, I wasn’t obligated to remain—ESOPs typically don’t retain members of the founding family. But I chose to stay because I genuinely love what I do. The daily challenges push me to grow and keep the company moving forward. Ultimately, it was our customers, our vendors, and—most importantly—our employees who inspired me to stay in the business.
How do you bring aloha into your leadership style?
I don’t use the word Aloha often enough, but I strive to live it every day through my team. I believe everyone on my team is my customer, and it’s my responsibility to treat my internal customers even better than our external ones because when our team feels valued, they’ll pass that same care on to our clients. I encourage everyone to treat both internal and external customers like they’re our “Number One Customer.” By embracing that mindset, I believe the spirit of Aloha is reflected in my daily actions and interactions with the team.
Where’s your “secret spot” to disconnect and reset?
My secret spot to disconnect and reset is the Kaneohe Sandbar. Even when I’m there with friends and family, I feel a deep sense of disconnection from the daily grind. I love being in the water, surrounded by the stunning views of the Ko‘olaus. Every time I leave, I may feel physically drained but I’m always mentally refreshed.
What does leaving a legacy mean to you?
Leaving a legacy means everything to me. My dad founded our company and has successfully kept it going for 51 years. Now, it’s my turn to carry it forward for the next 50. To me, preserving our legacy means staying true to the core values and corporate principles my dad instilled in the business while also bringing my own vision and energy to help it grow. I now have two children, and if one of them decides to join the company one day, I want them to clearly see the foundation their grandfather built and how I’ve built upon it—so they’re set up for even greater success.
What motivates you to keep evolving—personally or professionally?
My dad, my wife, and my kids are my biggest motivators, constantly pushing me to grow both personally and professionally. My dad challenges me in his old-school way, always pointing out what I could be doing better and what I need to improve. My wife, an ER doctor, keeps me grounded with her honest and blunt feedback, whether it’s about work or my health. And my kids inspire me to build a better future—for them and for myself. They push me to be healthier, more present, and prepared to support them through every milestone. I don’t want to let them down, and they give me the inner drive to keep reaching for my goals.
What’s your side hustle or creative outlet?
Traveling the world is my creative outlet. While I often travel for work, I truly enjoy traveling with my family. Experiencing new and unfamiliar places helps me think differently and see things from fresh perspectives. I love observing how other cultures live and how businesses operate around the world. I often take inspiration from their cultural values and business practices and adapt them into our own company.
I feel like a boss when…
I’m able to come up with solutions that others in the organization can’t. As President—and a leader—you carry the responsibility of being the go-to problem solver when no one else has the answer. It doesn’t happen often because my team is highly skilled and well-trained, but when it does, and I’m able to step in with a solid solution, it feels great to know I can support my team in that way.
What is it that you created that you are most proud of?
Last year, we launched a program called We Love Local, focused on giving back to local businesses. We partnered with 50 local companies, purchasing their products or services and then giving them away to their customers for free. The response was incredible. Almost every event drew long lines and helped raise awareness about these businesses within their communities. The best part was seeing the gratitude from the business owners and the smiles on customers’ faces as they received something for free.
