Hawai‘i is more than where I wrapped up my Coast Guard career — it’s where I met my wife, started our family, and found my next calling as a REALTOR®. My journey from being born and raised on Guam, to serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, and eventually stepping into real estate has taught me that family, service, and community are the pillars that guide my life. Here’s how those experiences have shaped the way I help my clients today.
Growing Up on Guam
Growing up on Guam is something I’ll always cherish, and in many ways, it’s how I’m raising my boys today. Life on the island was centered around familia. I’m one of seven kids, my mom is one of eight siblings, and we often gathered at my grandparents’ house — a place filled with laughter, love, and memories.
My grandfather retired from the Navy as an E-7 chef and later opened a restaurant called American Café. My grandmother, also one of eight, came from a close-knit and well-known family on Guam. Those gatherings weren’t just about food — they were about connection, respect, and responsibility.
My brother and I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house helping with yardwork, shagging golf balls for my grandfather, and even collecting horse manure from across the street to fertilize my grandmother’s garden. One of my earliest lessons in service came when my grandfather suffered a stroke. I was about 11 or 12 when I began helping care for him on weekends, giving my grandmother and aunt a break. Those moments taught me humility, empathy, and the importance of showing up for family — values that have stayed with me throughout my life.
Growing up, and still to this day, I’ve been someone my family can rely on. I learned that from my mom, who was always the first to arrive and the last to leave family gatherings, helping with setup and cleanup. That sense of responsibility shaped who I am today — and it’s the same way I show up for my clients.
Twenty Years of Service in the U.S. Coast Guard
In June of 2002, I left Guam for Coast Guard boot camp, not knowing whether I would serve a few years or make it a career. I ultimately served 20 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
Throughout my career, I served at multiple duty stations, but a few assignments stood out and had a lasting impact on how I lead and serve others.
USCGC Sherman
Serving aboard the Cutter Sherman was one of the most formative leadership experiences of my career. Less than a year after reporting aboard, my division Chief was removed from the shop, and as an E-6, I was thrust into the responsibility of leading the division well before I was formally expected to.
There was no gradual transition. I was responsible for managing people, maintaining accountability, and ensuring mission readiness while the ship continued operating in demanding environments far from home. It required decisiveness, clear communication, and a steady presence — especially when the margin for error was slim.
During that tour, I was involved in the operational planning for what became the largest single maritime drug seizure in U.S. Coast Guard history at the time — the interdiction of approximately 21 tons of cocaine from a motor vessel in the eastern Pacific. Missions like that reinforced the importance of preparation, coordination, and calm decision-making under pressure.
About a year into my tour, I was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, an award typically presented at the end of a tour. Receiving it early wasn’t the point — the responsibility was. That experience reinforced a lesson I carried throughout my career: leadership isn’t about title or timing, it’s about taking ownership, earning trust, and doing right by people when it matters most.
Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Honolulu
While assigned to MSST Honolulu, I served as the Command Chief, a role typically held by one of the most senior Chief Petty Officers at a unit. Being selected for that position as the most junior Chief was both humbling and demanding.
The Command Chief serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer, responsible for crew readiness, morale, discipline, and professional development. The role required me to bridge leadership between command and crew, advocate for our people, and ensure the unit remained mission-ready during high-visibility security operations. It sharpened my ability to lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and balance mission requirements with the well-being of the team.
Air Station Barbers Point (Twilight Tour)
My final assignment at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point allowed me to bring everything I’d learned over two decades of service full circle. As Chief in the Operations Department, I focused on mission readiness, operational planning, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
That twilight tour wasn’t about winding down — it was about finishing strong, ensuring continuity, and leaving the unit better than I found it. It reinforced the responsibility that comes with leadership and the importance of setting others up for success.
From Serving My Country to Serving My Community
While I was still on active duty, my wife and I sold our first home in 2015 and purchased our current one. We worked with a family member who had just received their real estate license. My wife had reservations, but I felt it was important to give him a chance. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be a great experience.
We were told certain things would happen — like proper representation at the open house — but those expectations weren’t met. Instead of having a properly hosted open house, the lockbox combination was widely shared, allowing unescorted access to our home while we were still living there. As a result, our privacy and belongings were not adequately protected, and it became clear that our best interests weren’t being prioritized.
Communication was inconsistent, and the listing photos used in the MLS were ones I had taken myself rather than professional photos, despite that being stated during the listing presentation. After we vacated, we stopped by to check on the professional cleaning we were told had been arranged, only to find the home looked exactly as it did when we moved out. Even the buyer’s agent later pointed out that it didn’t appear to have been professionally cleaned, despite assurances from our listing agent.
At the time, we were active-duty military, balancing work, family, and the stress of a move. We were also told we would be able to move directly from our home into our new house, but instead had to secure temporary housing for a month — adding another layer of stress during an already demanding transition. That experience left a lasting impression on me. Selling a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s personal, and it requires trust, accountability, and clear communication. When those things are missing, it creates unnecessary stress during an already major life transition.
That experience became a turning point for me. I didn’t want anyone else to go through what we went through — and that’s what led me to real estate.
I earned my license in October 2021 and transitioned to real estate full-time in April 2022. I began with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty West, and today I’m proud to be part of RE/MAX Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, serving communities like Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honolulu, and beyond.
Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty — In Real Estate
The Coast Guard’s core values — Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty — guide everything I do in real estate.
Honor: I serve my clients with honesty and transparency, even when it’s not the “right time” to buy or sell.
Respect: I respect my clients’ time, trust, and the responsibility they place in me.
Devotion to Duty: I show up — attending inspections, answering questions, and having the hard conversations when needed.
For military families PCSing to Hawai‘i, I understand the challenges of relocation — adjusting to smaller homes, navigating costs, and moving a family across the ocean. I make sure my clients have clear expectations from closing costs to moving expenses. Even first-time buyers using VA loans quickly learn that zero down doesn’t mean zero cost, and I walk them through every detail so there are no surprises.
That’s my duty — to be an advocate, a guide, and a steady hand throughout the process.
Family, Community, and Life in West O‘ahu
Today, I’ve been married to my wife, Tina, for 21 years. We have two amazing boys — Noah, a high school senior planning to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and Ezra, our energetic 11-year-old in middle school.
Our weekends are often spent at wrestling tournaments or basketball games, and when we’re not cheering on our boys, we’re outdoors as a family — mountain biking, hiking, paddleboarding, or exploring parts of Hawai‘i that even locals sometimes take for granted.
We love living in Ewa Beach. It’s a growing community with a strong sense of connection — far enough from the hustle of Honolulu, yet close to everything we need. Being part of a community that’s still shaping its character feels special.
For me, being outdoors — whether it’s SUP surfing, golf, or kettlebell workouts — keeps me grounded and connected to the lifestyle that makes Hawai‘i home.
Closing Thoughts
From Guam to the Coast Guard to Hawai‘i real estate, my journey has always been rooted in service — to my family, my community, and those who trust me to guide them through one of life’s biggest milestones.
Whether I’m helping a first-time homebuyer, a military family, or someone ready for their next chapter, my goal remains the same: to serve with integrity, respect, and aloha — and to always lead with Håfa Adai at heart.