Congratulations to the Top 100 Realtors of 2013!

Each year, Hawaii Business magazine compiles a list of the Top 100 Realtors across the state, based on total sales volume in the home resale market for single-family homes and condominiums. Last night, these real estate professionals were recognized at a gala event at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Hawaii Information Service would like to congratulate all successful island Realtors on this year’s list, particularly those representing our membership on Kauai and the Big Island!

The Top 25

1. Rob Kildow
   Hualalai Realty (Kailua-Kona)
2. Myron Kiriu
   Prudential Advantage Realty (Honolulu)
3. Carrie Nicholson
   Kukio Properties (Kailua-Kona)
4. Neal Norman
   Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers (Kilauea)
5. Bryn Kaufman
   OahuRE.com (Honolulu)
6. Patricia Choi
   Choi International (Honolulu)
7. Yvonne Khouri-Morgan
   Mauna Lani Realty, Inc. (Kohala Coast)
8. Sachi Braden
   Sachi Hawaii Pacific Century Properties (Honolulu)
9. Stephen Hurwitz
   Windermere/C & H Properties-Waimea (Kamuela)
10. Richard Cricchio
    Help-U-Sell Honolulu Prop. (Honolulu)
11. Tracy Allen
    Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
12. Mary Anne Fitch
    Maui Estates International LLC (Kapalua)
13. James Schneider
    Kukio Properties (Kailua-Kona)
14. Daniel Ihara
    Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
15. Mary LaVoie-Olson
    Elite Pacific Properties, LLC (Honolulu)
16. Suzanne Olson
    Kukuiula Realty Group LLC (Koloa)
17. Edward Rapoza
    Island Land Company, Inc. (Kailua-Kona)
18. Sue Murray
    Island of Lanai Properties (Lanai City)
19. Damien Zanolini
    Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) (Wailea)
20. Margaret Murchie
    Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
21. Corinda Wong
    Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
22. Adrienne Lally
    RE/MAX Honolulu (Kapolei)
23. Tom Tezak
    Wailea Realty Corp. (Wailea)
24. Dolores Bediones
    Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
25. Jack Tyrrell
    Jack Tyrrell & Company, Inc. (Honolulu)

Remaining Top 100 Realtors (Alphabetically)

• JoAnn Aki
  Emerald Club Realty, Inc. (Wailuku)
• Danette Andrews
  Century 21 All Islands – Princeville (Princeville)
• Trevor Benn
  Benn Pacific Group, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Julie Black
  Kauai Dreams Realty (Kapaa)
• Myra Brandt
  Kahala Associates, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Caron Broederdorf
  Caron B Realty International (Honolulu)
• Rob Burns
  East Oahu Realty, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Brodie Callender
  MacArthur and Company Sotheby’s International Realty (Kamuela)
• Patricia Case
  Case Properties International (Honolulu)
• Stephanie Chan
  Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
• Beth Chang
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Vernon Chock
  Vernco Properties, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Nicole Choi
  Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
• Kathy Christiansen
  MacArthur and Company Sotheby’s International Realty (Kailua-Kona)
• Meghan Clair
  Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) (Wailea)
• Harold Clarke
  Windermere/C & H Properties-Waimea (Kamuela)
• Robbie Dein
  Maui Real Estate Advisors LLC (Wailea)
• Wanaao Eldridge
  Choi International (Honolulu)
• James Farmer
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Kailua)
• Jim Foster
  Chase ‘N Rainbows Real Estate Inc. (Lahaina)
• Jeff Fox
  Kahala Associates, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Glen Fujihara
  Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
• Kathy Grindle
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Kailua)
• Margy Grosswendt
  Margy Grosswendt RE Agency LLC (Kailua)
• Bob Hansen
  Maui Estates International (Wailea)
• Hanako Hata
  Starts International HI, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Iku Honda
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Maria Hsu
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Herwin Hung
  Properties of the Pacific, LLC (Honolulu)
• Diane Ito
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Tony Kawaguchi
  Hawaii Homes International (Honolulu)
• Rebecca Keliihoomalu
  MacArthur & Company Sotheby’s International Realty – Kamuela (Kamuela)
• Jeff Kerr
  Gold Coast Real Estate Inc. (Honolulu)
• Ivy Kumai
  Ivy K Realty LLC (Aiea)
• Annie Kwock
  Trinity Properties, LLC (Honolulu)
• Vincent Lao
  Five Star Realty, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Brandon Lau
  Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
• Ronald Lee
  Real Estate Incorporated (Honolulu)
• David Liscio
  Island Sotheby’s International Realty (Wailea)
• Thomas Loratta
  Hualalai Realty (Kailua-Kona)
• Dan Madden
  East Oahu Realty, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Daniel Marsh
  eHawaii Realty (Honolulu)
• Miki Matsumoto
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Kai McDurmin
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Johnny McElree
  Hawaii Luxury Listings (Kamuela)
• John Miller
  MacArthur & Company Sotheby’s International Realty – Kona (Kailua-Kona)
• William “Buz” Moffett
  Moffett Properties (Lahaina)
• Marshall Mower
  Prudential Locations LLC (Honolulu)
• Nathalie Mullinix
  Nathalie Mullinix REALTY UNIVERSAL, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Robert Myers
  Coldwell Banker Island Prop(L) (Lahaina)
• Jason Nishikawa
  Marcus & Associates, Inc. (Honolulu)
• Anne Oliver
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Vincent Palmieri
  Island Sotheby’s International Realty (Makawao)
• Keahi Pelayo
  KU Realty, LLC (Honolulu)
• Anne Perry
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• John Peterson
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties Kahala (Honolulu)
• Kathryn Petty-Tubman
  RE/MAX Resort Realty (Wailea)
• Roger Pleski
  Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) (Wailea)
• William Robillard
  Chaney Brooks American Homes (Honolulu)
• Richard Rocker
  Richard B. Rocker, REALTOR (Kamuela)
• Jeffrey Samuels
  Jeffrey Samuels Real Estate (Honoluul)
• Dano Sayles
  Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers (Wailea)
• Frank Schenk
  Windermere/C&H Properties-Waimea (Kamuela)
• Jeff Simon
  Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers (Wailea)
• Baldave Singh
  Kapalua Realty Co., Ltd. (Lahaina)
• Hannah Sirois
  Kauai Heritage Properties (Koloa)
• Tracey Anne Stott Kelley
  Stott Real Estate, Inc. (Kailua)
• Courtney Takai
  Vesta Hawaii Real Estate (Honolulu)
• Beth Thoma-Robinson
  Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers (Kamuela)
• Gavin Toguchi
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Honolulu)
• Holly Turl
  Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties (Kailua)
• Nicole Vincent
  Island Land Company, Inc. (Kailua-Kona)
• VW Weiss
  Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) (Wailea)
• Artie Wilson
  Artie Wilson & Associates (Honolulu)
• Mary Worrall
  Mary Worrall Associates (Honolulu)

The “Top 100 Realtors” is an independent recognition program by Hawaii Business magazine. For more information on the list and the criteria used to compile it, please read the notes on this article on last year’s list. For the full ranked list, as well as separate lists for Top Real Estate Companies, Top Agents for Vacant Land Sales, and Exclusive Contracts, pick up the June 2013 issue of Hawaii Business.

June Training Schedule

Below is the schedule of upcoming online training classes for the month of June. If you’re new to REsearch, we strongly encourage you to attend an “Orientation” session on June 10.

Even if you’ve participated in a session before, it’s often a good idea to get a refresher. Our live trainers can answer your questions and help you get the most out of REsearch. Descriptions of each HIS webinar can be found here.

To sign up immediately, simply click on the links below. If you are going to participate/watch online classes as a group, only one person needs to sign up.

June 10-14, 2013:

Orientation
June 10, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/723839238

The Basics
June 10, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/324546022

Basics to Formats
June 12, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/908679950

How to Enter & Manage Listings
June 12, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/718330998

Basics to Searching
June 14, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/138390302

Advanced Search Techniques
June 14, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/703097086

June 17-21, 2013:

zipforms & Downloading the Roster
June 17, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/445225662

The Calendar
June 17, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/799411878

Prospects & Contacts
June 19, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/855661342

Farming & Labels
June 19, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/588454174

Update & CMA Features
June 21, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/595567166

Cloud CMA
June 21, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/454814638

Instructions on how to register for online classes:

• To register, please click on the applicable link located below the class. The link will then take you to the registration site.
• Please complete all the required fields marked by a red asterisk (First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Phone, Organization AKA Office Name).
• Click “Register Now” to complete the registration process. Once registered a confirmation email will be sent to your email address to confirm your registration along with a unique web ID number and instructions on how to login to the session on that day.
• If you need login assistance, please feel free to contact our Customer/Technical Support team at 800-628-3121, press # and then 457.

Remember, after you have participated, please make sure to fill out the survey or e-mail me your feedback so we can continue to improve upon our training efforts! Mahalo.

System Requirements for Online Classes

• PC-based attendees – Required: Windows® 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7
• Macintosh®-based attendees – Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
• System requirements apply only to the GoToMeeting webinar service, not to the REsearch system.

Questions? Comments? Please feel free to contact us via support@hawaiiinformation.com or call (808) 599-4224 or (800) 628-3121. You can keep up with the latest news from Hawaii Information Service on several services:

Office Closed on Memorial Day

The Hawaii Information Service office will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of Memorial Day. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, May 28.

As always, you can reach us after hours and on weekends by leaving a message on our emergency line. Just call (808) 599-4224 or (800) 628-3121 from the neighbor islands, and press * (star). Our phone system will notify our on-call staff, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Our team would like to wish you a peaceful holiday weekend, and thank you for your continued support!

May Family Feature: Meet Mike!

Although he was born in Honolulu, and is now working and raising a family on Oahu, Mike Torres has family roots that span the islands.

His father was born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island, eventually becoming a doctor. His mother was born on Molokai, the daughter of a plantation leader, and grew up to become a nurse. They had settled for a time on the Windward side of Oahu, but Mike had barely started school at Kailua Elementary when his family relocated to the Garden Island.

“I think my dad wanted to be a doctor for people like his father, who was a plantation guy,” Mike explains. “He wanted to help people who reminded him of his father.”

The oldest of three kids, Mike attended Waimea Canyon Elementary, then Waimea High School.

“I was not bookish, but I was not a jock,” he recalls. “I played more individual sports, like golf and bowling, but otherwise my friends and I would have fun camping or just running around in the cane fields.”

Mike excelled at golf, ranking in the top 15 high school players in state. He was also a Boy Scout, and earned the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement in scouting. And academically, he did well.

“I guess people would have considered me a nerd, because I hung out with the kids most likely to be called nerds,” he says. “Not to speak badly of WHS, but it wasn’t that hard to be in the top 20, and I was always in some sort of gifted and talented class.”

When the time came to start planning for college, Mike realized he admired his dad, but couldn’t do what he did for a living.

“My dad was the only internal medicine guy on the island for 20 years, so he would get calls at 2 a.m., and if he didn’t answer, the cops would come to get him,” he recalls. “I did want to be like my dad, but I figured all doctors worked that hard, and I didn’t want to work that hard.”

And although many of his high school friends set their sights on the University of Hawaii, Mike didn’t want to go to a big school, and felt that he should study on the mainland. So when he was a junior, he toured schools all the way down the west coast, deciding to attend the University of Puget Sound in Washington State.

With his classmates back home going into engineering and other technical fields, Mike first tried his hand at hard science. But while he struggled with physics, calculus, and chemistry, he experimented with other disciplines and found that he had a knack for business.

“I started gravitating to business classes, and even to economics, because eventually I had earned enough classes to qualify for a minor,” he explains. “Business was easy, it just made sense.”

Mike admits that he took a while to adjust to living on his own, at first focusing more on parties than on his books. Nonetheless, he worked his way all the way up from academic probation as a freshman to graduating with a 3.4 GPA in business administration.

College was also where Mike would meet the woman he’d eventually marry.

“I met Erin for the first time at a Hawaii club party,” he recalls. “There was a love triangle involving my roomate and her friend, so Erin would often come over with that friend, and she started hanging out with me.”

It was during winter break that she told him she liked him — a revelation that Mike admits could have been handled better.

“She called me up and said, ‘Hey I like you. Get chance or what?'” he recalls. “I was kind of in the middle of something, so I said, ‘Can we talk about this later?'”

Fortunately, they did, and by the time Mike returned to Hawaii, Erin followed him back to the islands and finished school at UH. He enrolled at Hawaii Pacific University to get his Master’s, and she continued on to law school.

“She’s awesome at arguing,” Mike explains.

While he continued his graduate studies, Mike worked odd jobs, from building his first web page for a contractor based at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai to traveling interisland to pull cables and set up networks for the state government. He wound up in retail, selling toner and blank CDs at CompUSA.

“I was definitely looking for something better, so a coworker and I walked over to Hawaii Information Service during a break,” he says. “Next thing I knew, I was interviewed right then and there, still wearing my CompUSA shirt.”

Mike was hired a couple of months later, and started in customer support. But when he got his MBA, he said he wanted to do something more, was promoted to the web team. Today, as webmaster, Mike oversees almost everything Hawaii Information Service puts online, from websites to data feeds.

“When I look at my website designs from back then, I get grossed out, frustrated that I made those,” he says. “But I constantly got better along the way, picking up PHP, object-oriented programming, doing database queries, building frameworks… I just kept finding new things to learn.”

Indeed, in his eight years with the company, Mike has had a hand in nearly all aspects of the business: working directly with customers, doing graphic design, programming, and putting his MBA to work as part of the project management team.

“The coding part is nice because it’s like a puzzle for me, even fun, as I can sit at home watching TV and write code at the same time,” he says. “But the project management part is really interesting.

Often, Mike’s role is translating concepts from “geek” to “business” and back again.

“I love that I get to see all the different levels, from my own stuff in the trenches to and the 30,000-foot view,” he says. “Usually people like me don’t get to see so many different levels of the business and the industry.”

Mike says the company has changed a lot over the last few years, and that he’s nervous but also excited by the path ahead.

“Working in customer service was important because I can understand where our members are coming from, but working with the management team built my loyalty to the team and gave me a sense of ownership of the company and its direction,” he says. “I owe a lot to HIS, I’ve learned and changed a lot, and now I can help make sure it grows and succeeds.”

But Mike says that his toughest job and most rewarding job is being a dad.

After he and Erin married in 2007, and bought their first house in Waipahu in 2009, they welcomed their first child in 2011. His name was Aiden, and two months ago, he met his younger sister, Alyssa.

“I’ve become one of those people who owns a minivan and constantly talks about his kids,” Mike says. “Having kids is as crazy as you think, and harder than you expect — way harder than you expect… but worth it.”

You can ask Mike about his favorite local golf courses (where he no longer has time to play) by emailing him at michael@hawaiiinformation.com. Make sure you didn’t miss our earlier profiles of Diana, Preston, Richard, Faith, Sam, Victor, Jerry, Gay, and Novena.