Ric's Resume, Sales History and Testimonials (2 MB Acrobat PDF file) Get Free Acrobat Reader

Hawaii Luxury Homes > Meet Richard B. Rocker

Ric was born and raised on the East Coast and educated at the University of Pennsylvania. He arrived in Hawaii in 1968 on a 3-week vacation and never left. He has lived on the Big Island continuously since 1970. Ric lives in Waimea with his wife, Dao, and his daughter, Mariah who is attending HPA.

He began his career in real estate in 1987. In his first year he was voted Rookie of the Year for the entire Century 21 Pacific Basin (600 offices). The following year he became the company's Top Producer. During the Japanese Boom of the late 80's he affiliated with a Japanese broker and worked with many high net worth Asian investors, both buying and selling properties for their accounts.

At the bottom of the market in 1996 he sold the remaining 44 units at the Islands at Mauna Lani to Haas & Haynie and then established Islands ML Realty, Inc. and sold the units on the retail market. He acted as their consultant in the acquisition of what is now the luxury oceanfront development Pauoa Beach at Mauna Lani. Shortly thereafter, he worked for Kennedy Wilson International and sold the 3,000-acre site across from the Mauna Lani Resort (Aina Lea). Upon the successful culmination of the sales campaign, he was hired by Finance Enterprises, a Honolulu, banking, insurance and real estate consortium to dispose of their remaining assets on the Big Island including several large oceanfront sites along the Kohala Coast.

Ric was the #2 salesperson on the Big Island for 2000 and 2001 and has consistently ranked within the top agents on the island. His strong suit is research and analysis. He specializes in resort properties including land, homes and condos, country estates, equestrian and cattle ranches, commercial and developmental opportunities, and his true love oceanfront properties predominately in North and South Kohala.

As a 33+ year resident of the Big Island, his market scope extends beyond currently listed properties, and in order to meet the investment parameters of his clients, he often focuses on properties that are not openly offered for sale.

What Ric's Clients Say

"As you know, we worked with other real estate agents representing high-end properties before meeting you. These individuals were unable to provide us with the extensive market information needed and great attention to detail to make an investment decision. You came to us and rekindled our interest in sections of the Kohala Coast, and specifically in the development in which we purchased a property. It took you no time to provide us with a thorough overview of the market and of past and present trends. Your vision and grasp of the overall market situation helped turn us into hopeful buyers. Shortly thereafter you presented us with the water view property that we were dreaming about."
Michael Grindon, President, Columbia Tristar International Television

"In the event you are looking for a Realtor, to assist you in buying or selling real estate on the Island of Hawaii, I recommend Ric Rocker without reservation. Ric is consummate professional, innovative, conscientious, dedicated, and hard working- he will go the extra mile on your behalf. On a personal level, Ric is forthright, honest, caring and just an utter delight to deal with."
Robert Miyasato, President, Finance Realty, Ltd.

"You have built a service business that sets the high watermark for quality. You, as an individual, represent the essence of Hawaii, what makes it a special place for special dreams, whether they are business or inspirational. Integrity, reality and full disclosure are foremost in any relationship with you. Whether it is positive or not so positive feedback, you do not hesitate to provide it. It is a pleasure to know you and to be able to call you a friend. Please allow me to be your reference as requested."
Edward D. Horowitz, Corporate Executive Vice President, Citigroup

"You happen to be one of a handful of real estate professionals whose opinion I very much value. What sets you completely apart from the other realtors, however, is the unique “macro perspective” that you bring to the table. Your contrarian inclinations are also a valuable and unique asset. My hat’s off to you, and please keeps up the good work."
| Roger V. Meeker, Law Offices of Roger V. Meeker

"Gloria and I were impressed with your knowledge of the development of the Kona Coast from a historical prospective, current inventory of available waterfront lots, undeveloped parcels and projects in the “early stage: developmental process. We are certainly going to continue to have you represent us on future investments in Hawaii, and would urge anyone else to do so, as well."
Dan R. Wentzel, North American Asset Development Corporation

"My wife and I met Ric early last year through a property listed on the Hawaii Multiple Listing Service on the Internet, and we first got to know each other by phone. I was immediately impressed by his direct style and honest spirit. When we came to visit the Big Island, Ric spent an entire day showing us around North Kohala, focusing on several properties that matched our requirements. It was clear from the beginning that he is an exceptionally smart, hardworking individual, whose love for this place and the “aina” are obvious."
Richard Russell, President, RF Russell Company

“My relationship with Ric Rocker began when he called me about The Islands at Mauna Lani. His understanding of the Hawaiian Market was impressive, and after deciding to proceed Ric helped in the negotiations to purchase the remaining 44 units at the project with considerable creativity. While Ric’s original projections were for 1.5 to 2 unit/month absorption, he actually achieved 3. Within 15 months from R.E.C. approval every unit was either sold or in escrow. We are very pleased with the results of our investment. Ric acted as our representative in Hawaii. I have come to rely on his judgment. Ric interacts well with people from all walks of life. He has handled virtually all problems at The Islands with immediate attention to them that resulted in few problems reaching my desk. It has been a pleasure to work with Ric, on both a personal as well as professional level. I strongly recommend him to any one who needs a thoughtful, professional, dedicated and reliable person in real estate sales or development.”
Paul B. Fay III, Chairman/CEO, Haas & Haynie 1898

"Within a week of listing the Property, Ric wrote the collateral material and coordinated with our in house staff to produce our marketing brochure. Ric worked with our advertising staff to implement our advertising and reported back to us so we could fine-tune our efforts based on actual results. Although we advertised the Property extensively, in the end the buyer came from Ric’s network of investors."
William J. McMorrow, Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy-Wilson International

"This letter is to let you know how pleased Amy and I am to learn that you have placed the last available unit at “The Islands” into escrow. We consider your performance in selling all 44 units of this complex in the year and a half you have been here nothing short of amazing. Being as how we occupy the unit next to the one utilized as your sales office, we probably more than others, are aware of the long hours and seven-day weeks you and your staff worked to achieve this remarkable result. This together with the foresight and professionalism of your operation has, in our judgment, been the key to the successful conclusion to your project here at “The Islands”."
Glen Nordin, Islands at Mauna Lani