Designations:
Realtor Broker
Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)
Education:
BA Marketing and Communications, Pepperdine University
Real Estate Appraisal Courses: University of Hawai‘i
Realtor Associate - 1986 - Vitousek and Dick Real Estate School
Graduate REALTOR® Institute-2016- Honolulu Board of Realtors
Member of:
Honolulu Board of Realtors (HBR)
National Association of Realtors (NAR)
Outrigger Canoe Club
Hobbies:
Canoe Paddling, Skiing, Hiking, Surfing, Hula – Tahitian, Yoga
Raised in Hawai‘i, I started my real estate career in 1986 and joined the East O‘ahu team in 1994. Now, more than 40 years later, I’ve successfully managed hundreds of real estate transactions and assisted more than 90 agents in technical and support issues.
I’m a graduate of Pepperdine University with a BA in Marketing & Communications, and a lifelong athlete with a passion for sports! I was raised in the ocean where I surfed from a young age and paddled for 13 years with the Outrigger Canoe Club, winning Molokai crew in 1985.
I bring my competitor’s spirit to my real estate practice, always striving for the very best outcomes for my clients. I truly love finding the right place for buyers and having sellers feel they received the best possible price for their home and the utmost in personal service and care. I thrive on making my clients happy.
Before launching my real estate career, I worked as a retail sales manager, in marketing communications at renowned Honolulu advertising firm Starr Seigle McCombs (now Starr Seigle Communications Inc.). I also taught classes and trained instructors at a fitness studio I opened in Japan.
My entrepreneurial spirit combined with my sales and marketing experience was excellent preparation for my career in real estate. I love learning... every day there is something new. No matter how long you do this, there is something new to learn.
I love my Hawai‘i Life! There is no other place I’d rather live, breath, and enjoy life! My husband and I have been married for over 36 years, and we have three grown children, and 3 beautiful grandbabies. We enjoy family time with our two dogs and taking family trips including ski trips to North Lake Tahoe or Japan every year.
I look forward to helping you with your O‘ahu real estate needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 808-383-8166 or by email at karenkato@hawaiilife.com.
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- Karen Kato
- Jan 25, 2026
- Karen Kato
- May 05, 2025
- Karen Kato
- Apr 28, 2025
What my clients are saying...
We had a fantastic experience working with Karen. From start to finish, she was knowledgeable, responsive, and incredibly easy to work with. She took the time to truly understand what we wanted and guided us through every step of the process with clarity and professionalism. What really stood out was her expertise in helping us navigate the purchase of a leasehold condo—something that was completely new to us. Karen made sure we fully understood the nuances, answered all of our questions, and helped us feel confident in our decisions along the way.
Her communication and attention to detail were excellent. We always felt informed and supported, whether it was coordinating logistics (with a 6-hour time difference), working through negotiations, or managing the finer points of the transaction. She brought a calm, steady approach that made the entire process feel smooth and manageable.We especially appreciated her honesty and transparency. Karen consistently gave thoughtful advice and always had our best interests in mind, which made us feel like we had a true advocate throughout the process.
We would absolutely recommend Karen to anyone looking to buy or sell and would gladly work with her again in the future. Mahalo for always answering your phone Karen! Hope to meet up for coffee and talk soon!
I have purchased or sold 8 homes throughout my life and Karen by far was the best realtor I have ever worked with. Her hard work and honesty is second to none. Karen found our dream home in Hawaii after a long search. She is truly the best. If you are in the market to buy or sell I would highly recommend Karen Kato.