Hawaiʻi Life, the leading residential real estate brokerage in the state of Hawaii, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Despard as broker-in-
charge in Kona on Hawai‘i Island. Despard has over 30 years of experience in real estate development, design and construction industries and is in his ninth year with Hawaiʻi Life.
Matt Beall, CEO and principal broker of Hawaiʻi Life, remarked, “In many ways, I feel like Mike joining our leadership team is both past due and also an acknowledgment of the leader that he is. He’s proficient with all of our tools and systems, has served as the president of the West Hawaii Association of Realtors, and is well-regarded throughout the entire company and by cooperating brokers across Hawai‘i Island.”
In his new role, Despard will oversee the operations of Hawaiʻi Life on Hawaii Island. He’ll collaborate with Renee Hill in Hilo, Bob Chancer on the Kohala Coast and Carrie Nicolson, the Hawaiʻi Island HL1 Director, all of whom play key roles in their respective regions. Hawaiʻi Life boasts over 80 realtors across Hawaiʻi Island, with offices in Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach Resort, Waimea, Honokaʻa and Hilo.
“Real estate sales require teamwork, trust and nimbleness – all things that Hawaiʻi Life deeply values,” said Despard. “It’s an honor to be a part of this team and I’m confident that given the dynamic market, we’ll likely see more growth in West Hawaii.”
Despard’s accolades include being president of the West Hawaii Association of Realtors in 2019 and 2021, and he represented West Hawaii Realtors in 2019 as a board member of the Hawaii Association of Realtors. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Iowa State University. Despard and his wife Kristi, a realtor-salesperson with Hawaiʻi Life, reside in Kailua-Kona with their three children.
