Faith Geronimo to Lead Hawaii Information Service

Having served the company for more than a decade, Faith Geronimo has been appointed to serve as the CEO of Hawaii Information Service, a local real estate technology company.

“We are again fortunate to find that the right leader for the company’s next chapter is already on the job,” said Clifton Kukino, Chairman of the Hawaii Information Services Board of Directors and a Realtor on Kauai. “Faith is incredibly committed to the company, its future, and its people, and we have great faith in her vision and her passion.”

“Hawaii Information Service has a long history of technological innovation, excellent customer service, and solid local values,” Geronimo said. “It is an honor to be able to continue this tradition of excellence, while guiding the company toward new and exciting opportunities.”

Geronimo, who previously oversaw much of the company’s day-to-day business as Vice President of Operations and General Manager, will take the helm effective July 1. Current CEO Richard Eshelman, who originally came aboard as Controller and Chief Financial Officer, will stay on with the company as a consultant.

“Richard has been a critical part of the team for 10 years, and has led this company through some of the more challenging times in our industry,” Kukino said. “As HIS heads into its pivotal next chapter, we are grateful to have his continued expertise.”

Hawaii Information Service has roots stretching back to 1984, and is jointly owned by the Kauai Board of Realtors and the Hawaii Island Board of Realtors. The company helped its member Realtors navigate from printed and bound MLS books to mainframes and modems to the modern web. This fall, the company will undertake yet another technology transformation as it converts to a new MLS and public records software platform.

“This conversion will bring many changes, but also unleash new potential,” Geronimo said. “I’m confident that our members will find a lot to love about the new system, and it meanwhile gives our company greater freedom to broaden and grow all facets of its business.”

Geronimo is a graduate of Kaiser High School, and earned a B.A. in business management from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. Prior to joining Hawaii Information Service in 2001, she worked at Hawaii Business Equipment and the Pacific Beach Hotel.

Photo by Colleen Yasuhara and Michael Torres.

Important Billing Reminder

The next billing for credit card and ACH customers will be on Monday, July 1, 2013, the start of HIS’s new fiscal year. Payments by check are also due by Monday, July 1.

Billing Reminders

For questions regarding billing, please call our Accounting Department at 599-4224 or 1-800-628-3121 (Neighbor Islands only), ext. #454, or email michelle@useresearch.com.

If you would like to make changes to your billing:

• Print and complete a new Exhibit C – Pre-authorized Payment Agreement (click on the link). Your broker’s signature is not required if you are only changing your account information.
• Return the form by either:
  • Emailing it to accounting@hawaiiinformation.com.
  • Faxing it to (808) 524-6874
• The deadline to make any changes to your billing is Thursday, June 27, 2013.

If you are the Principal Broker (PB) for your office:

It is the responsibility of the PB to insure that the fees for all agents in his/her office are due are paid on time. If payment is not made by the 10th of the month, service may be interrupted for the entire office.

If an agent is not able to pay the required MLS fees, the PB has the following options:

• Release the agent, by placing their license on inactive status with DCCA, and providing a copy of the release form to HIS before the July 1st billing (the agent’s signature is not required). Fees will continue to be billed until a copy of the DCCA Change Form is received by HIS.
• Lend the agent sufficient funds to pay his or her MLS fees.
• Pay the fees due on behalf of the agent.
• As always, we appreciate your cooperation and your business.

If you are on SEMI-ANNUAL or ANNUAL BILLING for MLS DUES:

• If you are currently on SEMI-ANNUAL or ANNUAL billing for your MLS dues, there will be a change to your July 1st billing.
• Please watch for a special notice detailing these changes that will be mailed or emailed to you.
• The special notice can also be viewed by clicking on one the following links:
  • For Members on Semi-Annual Billing: Credit Card & ACH or Invoice
  • For Members on Annual Billing: Credit Card & ACH or Invoice

Membership Reminders

For questions regarding Membership, including status changes or waivers, please contact our Membership Department at 599-4224 or 1-800-628-3121 (Neighbor Islands only), ext. #160, or email sueann@useresearch.com.

If you are placing your license on Inactive status, or if you are surrendering your license:

• We must receive a copy of the completed Real Estate Change Form that you file with the DCCA.
• To ensure that changes or cancellations are processed before the July 1st billing, change forms must be received by Wednesday, June 24, 2013.
• Once we charge your credit card or debit your account, there is no refund for unused services.

Waiver applications and renewals are DUE NOW!

• Anyone who is currently under waiver and wants to continue accessing the MLS service under waiver status must submit a new waiver application.
• Agents, assistants or other staff who are not currently under waiver but are seeking waiver status must also submit a new waiver application. This applies to all licensed support subscribers, property managers and time-share agents.
• Waivers are also required for partners, officers, directors or shareholders who are licensed but do not engage in sales activity.
• The deadline for submitting Waiver Applications for the new fiscal year (July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014) is June 30, 2013.
• Click here to obtain the Waiver Application form.

Holiday Reminder

In observance of Independence Day, our office will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2013. Normal office hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) will resume on Friday, July 5, 2013.

In the event of emergency, you may leave a message in our emergency voice mailbox by calling the main office number and pressing * (star) – 1-800-628-3121 from the neighbor islands, or 599-4224 on Oahu. Leave a message and our phone system will notify our on-call staff that there is an emergency message.

Photo by FamZoo/Flickr.

Office Closed on Tuesday, June 11

The Hawaii Information Service office will be closed on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in observance of Kamehameha Day. Normal office hours will resume on Wednesday, June 12.

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.

The next observed holiday will be Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. Our team would like to wish you a good weekend, and thank you for your continued support!

Kamehameha Day was established in 1871 by King Kamehameha V to honor his grandfather,Kamehameha The Great. Photo by Daniel Ramirez (Flickr).