Donna Apisa, the president and CEO of Aloha Sotheby’s International Realty and Aloha Hawai‘i Rentals, has spent nearly five decades in Hawai‘i real estate.
On Sept. 3, Hawai‘i Realtors — a statewide professional trade organization founded in 1967 — named Apisa the 2025 Hawai‘i Realtor of the Year. Since 1967, the organization has annually recognized an outstanding Realtor in the state for their work in the interest of fellow Realtors, the profession and the community.
Apisa was still in disbelief about the award when she spoke to Aloha State Daily earlier this month about her early life, her 46-year real estate career and the Realtor of the Year recognition.
Born and raised on a small farm in Michigan, Apisa was the sixth of eight kids, who she described as self-sufficient.
"It's cool today to be self-sufficient. You did it then because you didn't have any money and you had to exist."
She believes that we're "products of our childhood," she told ASD. Her parents have passed away, "but they've given me the core values of everything I have today."
As a young girl growing up in a small town in the 1950s and 60s, Apisa says college wasn't an aspiration, but she's always been interested in learning.
And deep down, she says she's always wanted to be in business.
"I didn't know what that meant, but my direction was there," she says. "I knew I wasn't destined to be a farmer — and I love farming, I love the background, but it just isn't where my passion is. And I thought it might be being a bank teller or a secretary. In fact, shorthand and typing were my favorite subjects."
Apisa was a secretary for many years and one day it dawned on her: she wondered what it would feel like to sit on the other side of the desk.
She says that the "angel sitting on my shoulder" has guided her through life, with "amazing opportunities" popping up at each step. That's how she eventually bought a condominium and later a house, never planning to until the opportunities came.
"I feel so blessed that these opportunities came up before me," she told ASD. "And then I thought, 'Well, gee, I have a house and a condo, I should see what this real estate is all about.' [I] was really sent out there with no training and [they] said, 'Go sell real estate.' That was my initiation."
She started her career on O‘ahu in 1979 but moved to Kaua‘i for work in the summer of 1981 and fell in love with the Garden Isle. It was rural like where she grew up, the people were friendly and it was "just my lifestyle. This is home for me now."
She earned her broker's license in 1981 and founded Oceanfront Realty International Inc. in 1985. That brokerage was recently rebranded as Aloha Sotheby's International Realty after expanding offices on both Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, according to a recent announcement from Hawai‘i Realtors.
Here's what else Apisa had to say about her work in real estate and the latest recognition.
What do you like most about real estate?
It's just the personal relationships I've built. One of my slogans is our clients become our friend, and [I] still remain in contact with current and past [clients]. Everything goes back to my growing up on a small farm. It all goes back to what I learned back then, the traits and culture, which is very much like ... aloha. It's a wonderful thing.
How do you feel about being recognized as Realtor of the Year?
I was very surprised. I'm humbled. There are so many wonderful Realtors in the state that I'm truly humbled and I'm honored that I was chosen.
What's the biggest difference doing real estate today compared to when you started?
We went from a book that was published like every two weeks to a computer with AI. Our contracts have gone from one-page, handwritten carbon paper to [digital]. We've gone from fax and express mailing contracts and now we've got scanning and emailing. Instead of driving to a meeting, we've now got Zoom. Technology has done wonderful [things].
Our clients are much more informed today. They have knowledge at their fingertips and so it's definitely changed a lot. But change is inevitable and the world changes, and if you don't change with it, then you're going to be left behind. We embrace technology and go with it and try to be on the cutting-edge.
Is there anything else you'd like to add or think people should know?
I think part of the award is based on community involvement and I'm a total believer in the community and supporting the community. I come from a humble background and I'm so grateful for the people [who] have helped me along the way, I hope and try to be a helping hand to others when I can. ... Myself and our whole organization are quite active with the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, YWCA, Boys and Girls Club. We try to support local schools and athletic groups — just try to be community-minded.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
