Kona, Big Island of Hawai‘i
By Kai Ioh and Emil Knysh
Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in resort and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island.
A Year That Began on the Right Note
2026 began on a very satisfying note for Emil and me.
We recently wrapped up our Private Whale Watch & Sunset Cruise, welcoming nearly 90 clients for an afternoon on the ocean. Whales nearby, a Kona sunset, good food and plenty of good conversation.
This gathering wasn’t about real estate.
It wasn’t about business.
It was simply our way of saying ‘mahalo’ (thank you).
Over the years, we’ve often talked about how best to express our gratitude to the people we work with. Many of our clients have become friends. More than that, they’ve become our ohana.
KE Team Hawaii Private Cruise 2026
Ohana, Island Style
The movie, Lilo and Stich, made the word “Ohana” famous. The word ohana is often translated as “family,” but in Hawai‘i, it carries a much deeper meaning.
Ohana includes the people you look out for—and the people who look out for you. It’s community. It’s shared responsibility. It’s belonging.
Living on the Big Island is unique in that way. Many of us don’t have extended family here. Emil has a few relatives on the island. I once did as well, until life changed with COVID.
I’ve always admired local friends who grew up surrounded by siblings, cousins, aunties, and uncles, all close by.
Here, kids you’ve never met will call you “uncle.” Elders are “aunty” or “uncle,” even if you don’t know their name. When I first moved here, it felt odd. Over time, I realized it was something special. A sign of respect, trust, and shared community.
I once met someone from the mainland who was genuinely confused – almost offended – when a child called her “aunty.” I told her it was something to be proud of. I’m not sure she fully understood at the time.
But that’s the heart of it:
ohana is not about who you’re related to. It’s about how you relate to one another.
Gratitude Through Experience
As we grow older, and hopefully wiser, it becomes harder to express appreciation with things.
Most of our clients are successful and accomplished. They don’t need things.
What people truly value is time and shared experiences.
In today’s busy world (yes, even in Hawaii), two uninterrupted hours without schedules, pressure, or distractions is a luxury. That’s why we chose the cruise.
Two hours on the ocean.
No agenda.
No pressure.
Just good company, fresh air, whales surfacing nearby, and a Kona sunset reminding us how fortunate we are.
In our business, we’ve always believed the journey matters. Whether it’s buying, selling, or simply exploring possibilities. Energy matters. Enjoying the process matters. How an experience feels matters.
Our hope is that every client’s Hawai‘i experience, on and off real estate, is not just successful but genuinely memorable.
Bringing Good People Together
One of the privileges of what we do is being surrounded by remarkable people.
Entrepreneurs. Creatives. Families. Professionals. Each with their own stories and paths.
We think in terms of connection.
If you ever need help, there’s a good chance we know someone who can help. And trust is what makes that possible.
What made the cruise especially meaningful was knowing that everyone on the boat was someone we trust. Someone we would confidently introduce to our friends, our family, our community.
Conversations flowed easily.
New relationships formed naturally.
That’s not by accident.
That’s community.
Sharing the Big Island, Together
There’s nothing better than seeing clients truly enjoy the island we all love.
We’re drawn to the Big Island for its raw beauty, its people, and its spirit. One of my very first jobs after moving here was working as a whale-watch boat guide. That experience shaped me in ways I still carry today.
Being back on the water – 25 years later – sharing that same magic with our clients felt like a full-circle moment.
It reminded me how fortunate we are to call this place home, and how special it is to experience it together.
A Note of Thanks (and an Apology)
We know many clients wanted to join but couldn’t. Emil and I have more friends—ohana – than we could ever fit on one boat.
Timing is always the biggest challenge, especially since so many of our clients are not full-time Big Island residents.
We tried to choose a date that worked for as many second-home owners as possible, but it’s never perfect. We hope to continue hosting this kind of event and make it even better over time.
And for those who prefer staying on land, you’re not alone. My wife, Kumi, skipped the cruise due to motion sickness. Maybe next time we’ll plan something at the volcano.
Looking Ahead
This May marks my 25th year on the Big Island, almost half of my life.
For someone who moved every three years growing up, choosing to stay in one place says everything about how blessed I feel.
Emil and I have now worked together for eight years, grounded in shared values and a shared belief that relationships always come first.
This cruise was simply a reflection of that belief.
To our ohana – thank you for being part of our lives, our community, and our journey.
