about us

aloha from hawaii

This is truly an amazing place to surround yourself with beauty, culture, aloha and the best weather on the planet! I cannot wait to meet you and help you with your property sale or your search for your new home.

representing buyers & sellers

I grew up in Southern California in the San Gabriel Valley, back in the days of only citrus trees and avocados! In 1973, I came to Hawaii to visit some close friends who had recently moved to the Big Island. I fell in love with the varied landscape of this place, the culture and aloha of its people not to mention the climate and the fact that everything grew so well here! An avid gardener in years past married to the warm feeling that I had when on island convinced me that someday I would be living in Hawaii.

My real estate career began in 1989 when I lived on the Northern California Coast in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. I sold real estate at The Sea Ranch for 13 years and loved working this fabulous development which was developed by Castle and Cooke’s Oceanic. The islands continued to call upon me and pull me back every time I would frequently visit! Finally in 2001 I purchased my first property in Holualoa and moved over in 2002.

Being the top sales agent for the Wai’ula’ula neighborhood during the period of 2006 to 2009 helped me broaden my knowledge of construction and the building process in Hawaii, and allowed me to learn the local ways in this field. My repeat business and referrals proves that I am a woman of honor and that my aloha for this place that we all love, overflows to this process of real estate sales.

In 2009 I branched out to sell other areas of the Kohala Coast and Waimea, where I reside. Finally in September of 2011 I started my own business, Aloha Kohala Realty. I strive to maintain best practices in my real estate business, straight forward honesty, fairness, integrity, trustworthiness and reliability. I want to provide the best level of service and commitment to my clients, both buyers and sellers. “Aloha” is what I strive for and “Kohala” is the place name where I mostly work.

For fun I enjoy swimming and gardening with my husband Riley, grabbing anytime possible with my two year old grandson Adrian Kainui, and being eternally grateful that my son Jesse, his wife Desiree, and daughter Kaliko are all on island, so we get to enjoy life with them here. Having a house/yard full of animals and love, and attempting to live as lightly on the land as possible, I enjoy my life to its fullest and take time each day to be grateful for all that it has to offer. “Lucky we live Hawaii” is an understatement, but something always worth remembering.

I look forward to working with you in whatever capacity suits your goals and needs.

testimonials

Please enjoy some of the ways in which Nancy’s clients has reached out about their experiences working with Nancy in their real estate transactions.

“We relocated back to the Big Island in the summer of 2016. Nancy was extremely patient and helpful in our search which was complicated by short and long term personal, professional, and multi-generational considerations. She provided us various options from Hilo to Waimea, Kohala to Waikoloa. She negotiated hard on our behalf and supported us through our home purchase. After the transaction, she also provided various resources and referrals to ease our transition into the community.”
– Ushijima/Kiyota ‘Ohana

“Thank you for a smooth and stress-free transaction with selling my house. It was only on the Market for Three days and we got an offer and closed escrow in a timely manner. Not only a great realtor, she also wants to get to know you and to help better serve you in your concerns through the process. I had a great experience working with Nancy and a privileged to get to know her better. I consider her my realtor and my friend. Mahalo Nancy and best wishes to you in all you do.”

– Charlie S.

“Our family worked with Aloha Kohala Realty to purchase our first home about 4 years ago. We decided to sell that home and purchase closer to town, Nancy helped us with the sale and purchase of our new home. As first-time sellers we were very surprised that she was able to make the process painless, she was always available and quick to respond to every question we had, we could not have asked for a more knowledgeable and friendlier person to work with.
Our family is so happy with the relationship we were able to create with her. We will definitely be using Aloha Kohala Realty for years to come! Thank you, Nancy, for helping our family find the perfect home.”

– LaFrance ‘Ohana

“When our journey started in trying buy our very first house we were a bit scared as a young family! With the help of Nancy Carr Smith our adventure was nothing but amazing! She was such a huge help and totally helped us not stress out! We looked at a few houses, all which were all within what we were looking for, but after looking at all the options we found the perfect house! From beginning to end Nancy was on top of everything and helped the process go so smoothly! I would recommend her to ANYONE! Mahalo nui!!! First time home buyers in Waimea!”
– Mai and Chadd

“I cannot find all the words for how much gratitude I have for you for navigating with me in that really rough period of time. It never seemed like such an insurmountable task trying to sell the house. When I’m looking back and reflect on how much you truly did for me, that process was the most seamless. Not only did you maintain professionalism, but you exemplified with poise that while my situation was not ideal, positive outcomes are still possible. You interpreted unfamiliar realtor speak, and guided me through everything with integrity, patience, and truly diffused tensions. I cannot thank you enough for helping me then, and for still supporting me from afar now.”
– Samantha Harlan

“I want to thank you again for your service in finding our new home in Hawi. You demonstrated an extraordinary amount of patience with us as our circumstances kept changing. Where we started looking and where we ended up are vastly different. We thought you might actually give up on us, as it was at least a four year process! We are so happy here in Hawi town, and I know we’ll never get tired of the view!
Your recommendation of a lender was an important factor, as they performed admirably for us as well.

As California licensed broker and agent, we know that there can often be unpleasant surprises that throw the whole transaction into doubt, but you managed the escrow process with excellent suggestions after being present for the inspection for us. The only surprise was that there were no surprises.
We would heartily recommend your services to anyone looking to buy or sell.”

Mahalo nuiloa,
– John and Christi B.

community ties

Nancy is committed to her community and has volunteered much time and care to helping within the community. Nancy strongly believes that giving back to her community is vital to the health and growth of the individuals and families that we all share our lives with, our community, our island.

big island giving tree

I have been involved with The Big Island Giving Tree since its inception in 2012.I am proud of what we have accomplished in growing the non-profit organization in order to bless less fortunate in our community on a year-round basis. Please let me know if you would like to know more.

waimea community association

I have been a part of Waimea Community Association Board of Directors since 2011. Mostly we orchestrate town meetings on a monthly basis with guests and topics of interest that are pertinent to our community. I believe we provide an important service in giving our community an opportunity to learn more and stay up to date on current, local affairs. We also host candidate forums on election years. Just ask if you’d like to know more!

county of hawaii

I feel it’s important to support our local government by volunteering on County Boards and Commissions. I was on the South Kohala Community Development Plan Committee for two years. Then I sat on the Board of Appeals for 5 years, and I just finished my 5 year term as commissioner on the Leeward Planning Commission. It’s a good way to continue to learn, and I feel it helps me be more effective in my business. We shall see what’s next!

kona kohala chamber of commerce

Member since 2010
www.kona-kohala.com

ulumau – hawaii island leadership series

Graduate 2014
www.ulumau.org

Nancy supports the following additional organizations on a regular basis:

• North Hawaii Hospice
• Outdoor Circle
• Hawaii Wildlife Center
• Friends of the Future
• Hawaii Island Humane Society
• West Hawaii Mediation Center