Laurie Higashi | AHWD, e-PRO, GREENActive in the Community ..
"My parents always taught me the importance of giving back to your community." Organizations: Zonta International, Hilo Chapter Japanese Community Association of Hawaii Japanese Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Buddhist Women’s Association Hobbies: Travel, Food (cooking and eating), Photography, and Wellness (exercise, dance, and yoga) I’m a fourth generation Big Islander, born and raised in Hilo. After graduating from Hilo High School, I earned my bachelor of arts degree (magna cum laude) in journalism and mass communication from Drake University, then moved to San Francisco, where I enjoyed successful careers in the music business and massage therapy. After 25 years in the Bay Area, I returned to Hilo to be closer to my family.
Although I was not in the real estate business when I lived on the mainland, I’d long been interested in it - starting when I bought my first home in 2003. I loved going to open houses just to check out other people’s places and obsessively watched home design and remodeling shows on TV (which I still do). One of the main draws of coming back to the Big Island was the idea of learning the real estate development business from my father, who has been developing subdivisions in Hilo for four decades. My “training” in real estate development began as soon as I moved back in 2017. I earned my real estate license that year and have since added the GREEN and e-PRO designations. My real estate business is primarily built around selling the subdivisions that my dad and I have developed - Honoli’i Ocean View Estates in the Paukaa area of Hilo, Ola Hou Estates in Keaau village, and the upcoming Waiakea Nani Estates in the Waiakea Uka area of Hilo. It’s quite rewarding to watch a vacant piece of land being transformed into someone’s dream home! I’ve also had the opportunity to build and sell a few spec houses, which has allowed me to learn a lot about the home building process and develop my interior design skills. Although most of my listings are for vacant land in the subdivisions I’ve helped develop, I have a passion for homes and have always enjoyed helping people. I would love to help you buy or sell your next home...or sell you the land on which to build it! My parents always taught me the importance of giving back to your community. I’m a member of the Hilo chapter of Zonta International, a global organization of professionals empowering women through service and advocacy, where I serve on the board for both the club and the Foundation (the non-profit arm). I am also a member of the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Buddhist Women’s Association. |
RB-20679
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