LIHUE — Two of Kauai’s most recognizable real estate firms are set to merge in June. Oceanfront Realty International Inc. will officially acquire Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty on June 1, which will bring the total number of agents to
LIHUE — Two of Kauai’s most recognizable real estate firms are set to merge in June.
Oceanfront Realty International Inc. will officially acquire Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty on June 1, which will bring the total number of agents to 40 Realtors, said Donna Aspina, president and principal broker for Oceanfront Realty.
Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty will be the name of the merged firm, Aspina said.
“The new partnership provides hundreds of years of Kauai real estate experience along with technically savvy agents,” Aspina said. “We’ll cover the entire island of Kauai with full real estate services.”
A Sotheby’s representative approached Aspina in her office and recommended that two companies meet for lunch to discuss the move.
“We clicked and hit it off and decided to merge them,” Aspina said.
Debra Blachowiak, Sleeping Giant principal broker and Realtor with the firm since 1979, agrees the merger is a good fit.
“My partners and I are excited and what it will mean for our companies moving forward,” Blachowiak said.
The current owners of Sleeping Giant are staying on with the new company: Blachowiak as one of the brokers in charge, while Diane Treskon and Micki Evslin will be staying on as agents.
“The rest of the staff at Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s will also be staying on in the same capacity with the newly formed Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty,” Aspina said.
This is the third acquisition for Oceanfront Realty, a firm that’s been in business since 1985.
In 2009, it absorbed the Hanalei North Shore Property Vacation Rentals and in 2012 it took over the rental desk at Pali Ke Kua in Princeville from Castle Resorts, Aspina said.
In addition to offices in Princeville and Poipu, the merge will include a Lihue location.
“Sotheby’s is a company with high integrity and standards which follows our business motto also,” Aspina said. “ They provide a lot of support and will enable us to provide enhanced services to our clients.”
