Beyond Transactions: Real Estate Rooted in Aloha, ʻĀina, and Community

In early 2025, the REALTORS® Association of Maui (RAM) sought to deepen its commitment to land, community, and cultural stewardship. Through a Rediscovering Hawai‘i’s Soul workshop, RAM’s leadership explored the Four Possible Futures of Hawai‘i’s Soul and reflected on the organization’s kuleana to both industry and place.

The experience sparked more than strategic insight – it catalyzed transformation. Leaders walked away not only with new tools, but with a renewed sense of responsibility to integrate the values of Hawai‘i’s Soul into their work and vision. RAM’s evolving strategic plan now embraces the core RHS values of aloha, ‘āina momona, pilina, and ʻōpūaliʻi, reimagining what it means to lead in the real estate sector on Maui.

Shifts in Action

  • Member Engagement: RAM began encouraging members to see themselves as stewards of land and place, integrating cultural literacy into events and professional development.
  • Community Advocacy: RAM strengthened its focus on community-rooted housing solutions and positioned itself as a bridge between the real estate industry and broader Maui needs.
  • Collaborative Partnerships: RAM shifted toward community-first partnerships, prioritizing listening, dialogue, and grassroots-informed decision-making.
  • Leadership Development: Leadership was reframed as kuleana, shaping how RAM identifies and nurtures leaders grounded in humility, service, and stewardship.

“The RHS workshop helped us pause and reflect more deeply on the values that shape our identity as a trade association rooted in community on Maui. This deeper understanding was especially timely given the challenges our island faces, from housing pressures to post-disaster recovery, and served as a reminder that aloha and kuleana are not just concepts, but responsibilities in how we lead and serve.” – Mei Wright, COO & Former CEO, RAM

The experience shifted the organizational mindset from simply gaining “buy-in” to building trust. That shift is now guiding RAM’s next chapter – to lead with humility, responsibility, and a deeper commitment to Maui’s future.