Tricia Nekota Recognized as REALTOR® of the Year
Honolulu Board of REALTORS® honors exceptional members as part of Aloha ‘Āina Awards
HONOLULU, HI – The Honolulu Board of REALTORS® announced Tricia Nekota, Principal Broker of Dream Home Realty Hawaii, as its 2025 REALTOR® of the Year. The organization also honored 10 REALTORS® as part of the annual Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Awards™.
“Our members are dedicated housing advocates, community builders and trusted neighbors,” said Suzanne Young, CEO of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Tricia Nekota and these exceptional REALTORS® truly represent the heart of our members who uphold the highest levels of professionalism, provide exceptional service to clients and continue to strengthen our industry and uplift our island communities.”
The 2025 REALTOR® of the Year Award honors a distinguished REALTOR® who demonstrates exceptional professionalism and has made significant contributions to both the real estate industry and the community. Each year, a committee selects the honoree based on REALTOR® spirit, adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, civic involvement, business achievements, and participation in local, state, and national REALTOR® associations.
A Honolulu native and REALTOR® since 2007, Tricia Nekota is a respected industry leader. A past President of Honolulu Board of REALTORS® (2020), she most recently served as President of the National Residential Real Estate Council (2023-2024) and held that role locally with the Hawaii Residential Real Estate Council (2016-2017). Her professionalism and commitment to excellence have earned her top honors, including the Wendell Wong CRS of the Year Award (2019) and an Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Award (2017).
The Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Awards celebrate outstanding REALTOR® who deliver extraordinary service to their clients and exemplify fairness, integrity, and ethical excellence. This year, the Honolulu Board of REALTORS® received nearly 1,000 nominations from clients who worked with participating REALTORS® over the past year.
The 2025 Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Awards recipients are:
- Antonet C. Barut, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Melissa J. Filek, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Iris S. Griego, Engel & Volkers Honolulu
- Sunny F. Lee-Oshiro and Evelyn F. Rooney, Locations LLC
- Melanie Long, Pacific International Realty
- Joyce R. Nakamura, Bang Realty-Pacific Inc
- David M. Spinazza, Century 21 Island Homes
- Faiga Taliloa, Jr., Horita Realty LLC
- Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, Lifehouse Realty
- Tracy Yamato, Hawaii Living LLC
Established in 1998, the Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Awards Program™ is sponsored by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, First Hawaiian Bank and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
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About the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®
Established in 1922, the Honolulu Board of REALTORS® is one of the largest of 1,100 boards of REALTORS® in the nation, and, with more than 6,500 members, is one of the largest trade organizations on O‘ahu. Membership is available to licensed real estate brokers, agents, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry who pledge to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Honolulu Board of REALTORS® and its members are committed to serving as housing advocates, community builders and good neighbors. For more information, call (808) 732-3000 or visit www.hicentral.com.
Media contact
Kristen Kunimura