LIHU‘E — A surprise presentation of awards was held at the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors’ last membership meeting of 2008. The organization recognized two of its outstanding members. Clifton Kukino of Kaua‘i Realty Inc. was awarded “Realtor of the Year.”
LIHU‘E — A surprise presentation of awards was held at the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors’ last membership meeting of 2008. The organization recognized two of its outstanding members.
Clifton Kukino of Kaua‘i Realty Inc. was awarded “Realtor of the Year.” Clifton graduated from the University of Hawai‘i with a degree in economics. He worked at Associates Financial Services and Avco Financial Services as a Financial Representative before moving to Kaua‘i in 1988, to work at Kaua‘i Realty, Inc. Clifton was licensed as a Realtor-Associate in 1987 and attained his Brokers license in 1990.
His list of professional improvement includes the following designations: CRB (Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate REALTOR Institute) and ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative).
Clifton’s involvement in the board started with being the 1993 treasurer and chairman of the Budget Finance Committee. From 2002 through 2006 he was chairman of the Grievance Committee. In 2007 to present he is the director of Hawaii Information Service, the backbone of the real estate profession, our (MLS) multiple listing service. Clifton has been and continues to be an effective member of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors and the community. He is a steady donor to the blood bank of Hawai‘i and a very committed member of the Lihu‘e Christian Church.
When asked what is most important to him with regard to his practice, Clifton said, “Honesty and sincerity are the most important elements to my approach to my career; practicing the Golden Rule and treating people the way you would want to be treated.”
The “Realtor Associate of the Year” award was presented to Sean Ahearn of Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty. Sean attended San Francisco State University where he pursued a degrees in marketing and advertising. Sean worked 15 years in professional sales and executive sales management in the computer software industry with IBM and others.
Sean was licensed as a Realtor-Associate in 2003 and has been an involved member of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors since that time. He served as a committee member on KBR Standard Forms Committee, MLS Committee and served as its co-chairman in 2008.
As chairman of the Public Relations Committee in 2008, Sean had an energized year and made a positive impact in our community by spearheading the following programs: The 7th Annual Scholarship Program awarded 14 students a total of $11,000 in scholarships. He served on the committee responsible for the 3rd Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at Kaua’i Lagoons; this event boasted a full field and raised $4,800 for the 2009 scholarship program. The 8th Annual “Realtors for Education” Program purchased $5,000 worth of vital school supplies and distributed them to all the public high schools on island, providing essential tools for learning to Kaua‘i’s youth. Sean rallied real estate companies within the board’s membership and teamed up on many occasions to volunteer with the Salvation Army’s Kokua Soup Kitchen. Sean also mentors a Kapa‘a High School student in the field of real estate.
When asked what is most important to him in his practice, Sean said, “Genuine long-term care and concern for my valued clients and ensuring that all parties and steps in a transaction are dealt with and managed in a timely, efficient and professional manner.”
• The Kaua‘i Board of Realtors is a nonprofit organization comprised of 503 Realtors and associates from the bank, mortgage and title & escrow industry. It is a real estate resource for its members and the community it serves. The board answers reader questions twice a month in the Business section. For more information or to submit questions about the real estate industry, mail them to: Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Attention: Questions, 4359 Kukui Grove Street Suite #103 Lihu‘e, HI, 96766, call 245-4049 or visit www.kauaiboard.com
