How do you bring aloha into your leadership style?
By being 100 percent authentic and always open to change. No games, no masks—just being real. Aloha isn’t just a word; it’s respect, humility, and connection. It means owning who you are, admitting when you’re wrong, and being ready to adapt when the game changes. That’s how I build trust. Without authenticity and flexibility, leadership falls. Aloha keeps it real and keeps it moving forward.
Describe your style in three words.
Connector, collaborator, visionary. I believe if you want to win big, you gotta be all three. Connect with the right people. Collaborate like your success depends on it—because it does. And cast a vision so big not only will it pull others towards it, but they’ll fit their vision inside of yours. Having these three things will enable you to walk through every challenge.
What’s one thing you think every man should know how to do?
Know how to change a spare tire! Seriously. Too many guys today are getting soft, relying on someone else to handle the basics. It’s about being self-reliant and ready for anything. If you can’t do the simple stuff like that, how do you expect to handle the big stuff? Step up, take responsibility, and get your hands dirty.
What does leaving a legacy mean to you?
It means building something bigger than yourself—something that outlasts you when you’re gone. It’s about impact, not just income or business. The legacy you leave is the lives you’ve changed, the people you’ve lifted up, and the example you set. All material things eventually fade. But how do you want to be remembered? Your influence and character? That’s forever. Legacy is earned, not given.
What motivates you to keep evolving—personally or professionally?
The idea of not evolving is what scares the hell outta me. I don’t want to be the same person next year that I am today. Growth is the game. Personally and professionally, if you’re not learning, improving, or leveling up—you’re dying. I’m motivated by impact, legacy, and knowing that every version of me can be better than the last to help my ‘ohana and the community. Comfort kills potential. So I stay uncomfortable.
Who’s a local role model that helped shape your mindset?
It’s got to be Cory Nemoto from KÉCŌ Capital. I’ve known this guy since high school, and his character has never changed—solid from the start. He was actually the first interview I ever did back in 2019. Since then, I’ve spoken with a lot of entrepreneurs, but Cory was the first one who actually did what he said he was going to do. He went from a two-man operation flipping homes to running one of the largest real estate funding companies in Hawai‘i. And the best part? He told me years ago this was the plan—then he executed.
He’s not some corporate lender hiding behind spreadsheets. He is out there making smart moves: Funding real estate projects, creating other businesses, and staying true to integrity and relationships. That’s impact. That’s leadership. That’s legacy—Hawaiian style.
