The turning point in Kaniela Kimura’s life occurred on March 26, 2009, long before he even started a career in real estate. The event, though tragic, had lasting positive effects on Kaniela and shaped his future with regards to real estate and life in general.
“That day I woke up to a phone call from my sister that my 6-month-old nephew had passed away,” Kaniela explains. “I loved him with all my heart and this moment forever changed how I looked at life and who I would later become. In my nephew’s short six months, he was always laughing, always making others laugh, always happy, and always brought joy or brightened each room. After his passing, I promised myself that I would always try to do the same.”
From that moment forward, Kaniela promised to always look at the good in life, to always smile and brighten a room or situation, and to look for the best in people. Most of all, Kaniela promised himself that he would try his very best to bring joy to others as his nephew did.
“In his short six months, my nephew taught me the true meaning of life and showed me how it should be lived. Life is too short to wonder about tomorrow, live for today and love with everything you have,” Kaniela says.
At around the same time as this life changing event, Kaniela experienced a shift in what he felt his true calling to be. He had been attending Culinary Art School and pursuing a career as a chef, when he realized the restaurant industry didn’t fully suit him. He instead began a career in sales and customer service and learned his true calling and niche was working with people.
“My greatest joy and happiness comes when I am able to do a deed that helps others be happy and fulfil their dreams,” Kaniela explains.
It was inevitable that Kaniela would eventually enter real estate. He first thought about it in high school, and then again towards the end of college, but didn’t have the courage to take the leap from an employee to an independent contractor. As a car sales consultant for Servco Toyota Honolulu, Kaniela was content seeing happy clients drive away in their new cars. But after five years meeting new people, and developing skills in sales and relationships, he couldn’t help but think about his next step and how to continue growing.
His current broker and his cousin, who is also a REALTOR®, spoke with Kaniela several times about joining them in real estate and encouraged him to take the leap. “Being able to build relationships with people and help them fulfill their biggest dream finally pushed me to take the leap. Becoming a REALTOR® and truly fulfilling my own dream has been the best decision I have ever made.”
Kaniela obtained his real estate license in January of 2017 and began building his business. While he encountered many obstacles in the beginning, he resolved to keep pushing and took things just one day at a time. He says the biggest gamechanger in his business was changing his mindset to act according to the belief that he would do things. He started setting goals to get to where he wanted to be, and knowing all his numbers.
“In 2018 I started monitoring all my numbers (volume, commission, units, etc.) and it changed everything. I’ve been able to set tangible goals every year since.” he says. “One of the strongest things in the world is believing in yourself and your success. It changes your attitude, outlook, and your ability to achieve every one of your goals,” Kaniela says.
That same year Kaniela became an Onyx Level Engel & Völkers Elite Club Advisor, and in 2019 and 2020 he hit Ruby Level. He plans to just keep going up from here and is currently working towards his CRS Designation and Brokers License. His long-term goals include doubling the amount of people he can help each year, hitting Diamond Elite Level, and starting a team.
Outside of the business, Kaniela loves traveling and being with his partner of five years, Sheldon Kaopuiki, who also works for Engel & Völkers Honolulu as the Director of Advisor Operations. “Sheldon supports me in all that I do and is always next to me cheering me on and ready to jump in and help in any way that he can. He is truly selfless, his willingness to give, creativity, and love is a blessing to me and amazes me every day!” he says. Kaniela and Sheldon have two fur babies, Daisy and Pua, who mean everything to them.
As Kaniela continues building his business and helping as many people as he can, he will continue to honor his late nephew: bringing light, love, and grace to everyone he meets.
Kaniela Kimura: Honoring a Life
Written by Chris Menezes
