How Kalama Kim Built One of Hawaii’s Most Respected Real Estate Companies
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Release Date: 04/29/2026
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info_outlineHow Kalama Kim Built One of Hawaii’s Most Respected Real Estate Companies
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry sits down with Kalama Kim, President of Hawaii Modern Realty, to talk about leadership, local values, and the evolving future of Hawaii real estate.
Kalama shares his journey from growing up on the Windward side and attending Kamehameha Schools, to playing collegiate tennis at USF, working in banking, and eventually becoming one of Hawaii’s most respected real estate leaders. The conversation dives deep into the lessons sports, discipline, and mentorship taught him about leadership and personal growth.
Larry and Kalama also discuss Hawaii’s housing affordability crisis, inventory shortages, interest rates, and why long-term thinking matters for local families trying to buy a home. They explore how mindset, sacrifice, and consistency can help buyers build generational wealth, even in a challenging market.
The episode also covers the changing landscape of real estate, including AI, social media, leadership culture, and why authentic relationships still matter more than ever in business today.
Guest List
Kalama Kim
President, Hawaii Modern Realty
Former leadership roles with Hawaii real estate organizations
IG: @kalama.kim.realtor
IG: @kalama_kim
Timestamp Highlights
00:00 – Introducing Kalama Kim and his real estate leadership journey
01:20 – Tennis, discipline, and attempting the professional tour
03:20 – How leadership started through sports and mentorship
04:20 – Transitioning from banking into real estate in 2004
05:40 – What the 2005 Hawaii real estate boom was really like
08:00 – Comparing the 2005 market vs. the post-COVID market
10:40 – What separates successful agents from struggling agents
13:00 – Ronnie Lott, resilience, and leadership lessons from sports
15:00 – Why fundamentals still matter in today’s market
17:00 – AI, technology, and the future of real estate
18:40 – Building Ohana and authentic company culture
20:00 – Coaching agents beyond business performance
21:00 – Fixing company culture and leadership mistakes
23:00 – Why leading by example matters in real estate
24:00 – Old-school networking and “drive-by door knocking”
27:00 – Morning routines, discipline, and personal growth
28:20 – Fasting, mental clarity, and health transformation
31:00 – Why Hawaii Modern Realty chose to stay local
33:00 – Supporting agents based on their strengths
35:00 – Simplifying CRMs and building consistency
36:40 – Hawaii housing affordability and keeping locals in Hawaii
38:00 – Why waiting for rates may cost buyers more long term
39:20 – Building wealth through ownership and sacrifice
42:20 – Bringing aloha into leadership and business
43:40 – Final thoughts on excellence, culture, and legacy
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