Aloha Everyone:

It’s been a little over a month as your AE, and honestly, it’s been the ride of my life.

Beginning on November 1^st, Karen Ono commenced training me on the inner workings of KBR. As you are invariably aware, this organization has many moving parts between the daily operation of the non-profit that benefit its members, to compliance, committees, finance, HAR and NAR requirements and our relationship with our community inclusive of the County of Kaua‘i.

With just a week of training at the KBR office complete, Karen and I flew to San Diego to attend the 2021 NAR Conference & Expo “Rise and Shine” with 10,000 Covid responsible attendees where I was exposed to NAR and the critical issues facing the organization, as well as many Association Executives from across the country. I also met members of the HAR Board of Directors including its CEO, Nancy Donahue-Jones. The efficiency of meeting the key people that KBR interacts with on a regular basis cannot be underscored enough. It is a great feeling to know that there is a village available to me. 

As I wind down from the KBR presidency, I wanted to take this time to show my gratitude to a multitude of different people as well as highlight some of the achievements and value added to our members in 2021 and beyond.

First and foremost, without a functioning Board of Directors we just wouldn't get anything done. A huge round of applause to our Board of Directors (we made a great team): Sharon Gibson, Louis LaFratta, Trinette Kaui, Carol Simon, Dani Dooley, Emma Landendecker, Laverne Bessert, Christyl Nagao and Julian Coiner. Some of the finest people you'll see in our industry. 

We had the daunting task of finding a replacement for Karen Ono in her desire to retire. The AE Task Force started working on this in January 2021: Myself, Hannah Sirois, Trinette Kaui, Louis LaFratta, Donna Rice, Sharon Gibson. We wish Karen a heartfelt good bye after 42+ years of hard work and dedication for KBR and its members.  Simultaneously we gleefully welcome Nani Sadora to the team. There are not enough thank you's to be had for Karen, Nani and Toni! Please help us in showering them with appreciation at every chance you get.