Local Matters More Than Ever

In the world of real estate, size often makes headlines. Big mergers, billion-dollar deals, and promises of cutting-edge tech and national networks can sound impressive. The recent announcement that Compass will acquire Anywhere Real Estate (which includes brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby’s International Realty) is one of those headline-grabbing moves.

But here in Hawaiʻi, we know something big companies often forget:

Real estate is local. Relationships are local. Trust is local.

So while corporate shifts are unfolding across the mainland, it’s worth asking: Does bigger always mean better? Or does it make the case for why working with local companies — rooted in Hawaiʻi’s communities, culture, and people — matters now more than ever?

1. Hawaiʻi is Not Just Another Market — It’s a Unique Place with Unique Priorities

From zoning laws and leasehold land to cultural stewardship and kuleana responsibilities, Hawaiʻi real estate isn’t something you can understand from a national headquarters in New York or San Francisco.

• You can’t automate knowledge of Hawai‘i’s ahupuaʻa system, shoreline setback rules, or island-specific utility access.
• You can’t “scale” relationships with kupuna, local vendors, permitting offices, or neighborhood associations.
• And you definitely can’t teach the subtle art of helping a mainland buyer understand the deep significance of ‘āina, ohana, and community in a 45-minute Zoom onboarding.

Local companies don’t just operate in Hawaiʻi. They are part of Hawaiʻi. They live here, raise their keiki here, volunteer here, and often come from generational ties to the islands. That kind of rootedness can’t be bought or scaled. It’s earned.

2. Decisions Are Made Locally, Not in a Mainland Boardroom

When you work with a local brokerage, the decision-makers are here. They know the market, they understand the dynamics on your island, and they can make fast, personalized calls without waiting for corporate approval from 5 time zones away.

Whether it’s adjusting a marketing strategy, responding to a market shift, or solving a problem with a transaction, local companies move faster, adapt better, and answer to the people in the community—not to stockholders.

3. In Times of Change, Stability Matters

Let’s be honest: large mergers bring disruption.

• New tech platforms get rolled out before they’re ready.
• Long-standing brand names may disappear or be absorbed.
• Agents may leave. Offices may close or consolidate.
• Clients feel the effects of instability, whether it’s slower response times, confusing communication, or turnover in representation.

Local companies, on the other hand, aren’t going anywhere. They’ve weathered market shifts, storms, volcanic eruptions, and downturns. Their commitment is to the community, not to Wall Street. And in uncertain times, that kind of groundedness is worth a lot.

4. Local Companies Give Back Where It Counts

It’s not just about transactions. Local companies sponsor youth sports teams. They donate to food drives, fundraisers, and school programs. They support environmental restoration efforts, Hawaiian language education, and disaster relief.

Working with a local company doesn’t just support a business—it uplifts the ecosystem around it. Your commission dollars stay in Hawaiʻi. They circulate through local economies, helping our communities thrive.

5. You Know Who You’re Working With

In a local company, you’re more likely to know your agent’s name, their story, and their reputation in the community. You can talk story with the broker-in-charge. You can walk into the office and see the same faces you’ve seen for years.

At national companies post-merger, you might get a 1‑800 number, a rotating team of agents, or someone assigned to you by algorithm. That might work for volume, but it doesn’t work for trust.

And trust is the currency of real estate in Hawaiʻi.

Final Thought: Local Matters More Than Ever

We’re not saying big companies are “bad.” In fact, some do great work, and they may bring useful tools or access. But local will always matter more in Hawaiʻi—because real estate here is more than a transaction.

It’s about connection. Understanding. Aloha.

So as the national real estate industry continues to consolidate and automate, let’s not forget what makes Hawaiʻi different—and why working with a local real estate company is still the most meaningful (and often the most effective) choice.