Spotlight on Cherie Tsukamoto – Leading A Family-Focused & Purpose-Driven Life

Cherie Tsukamoto and her team joined Hawai‘i Life in early 2019. She brings an impressive resume and decades of experience in the industry, but what grabs your attention when you meet Cherie is her genuine kindness and interest in others.

California to Kaua‘i

A California native who moved to Kaua‘i as a teenager, Cherie embraced the aloha spirit. It shines through in every interaction with her. It’s impossible not to notice it.

She says she came to Hawai‘i kicking and screaming, though. “You can imagine the culture shock. Back then, there were only two traffic signals on Kaua‘i. One was in the middle of a cane field. It was definitely a change from the suburbs of Southern California.”

As a blue-eyed blonde student at Kapa‘a High school, she was a minority. “But, I learned the meaning of “humble haole”… learned the ropes, and fell in love with Kaua‘i and its people,” says Cherie, many decades later.

Cherie with her husband of 38 years, Art, and their family, on vacation on Kaua‘i.

Her Professional Credentials

Licensed in 1979 on the island of Kaua‘i, Cherie was Principal Broker at East O‘ahu Realty when the O‘ahu firm joined Hawai‘i Life. She continues to fearlessly lead our company’s Hawai‘i Kai office and team as Broker-in-Charge (BIC).

She was a BIC for 15 years and a Principal Broker for just shy of a decade, with a noteworthy track record of success in sales when she joined Hawai‘i Life. She has more letters after her name than most medical professionals, having achieved a series of high-level designations over the course of her exceptional career. (Seriously! CRS, CRB, GRI, ABR, SRES, GRI)

In addition to leading her team of more than 70 real estate professionals, Cherie is currently a Code of Ethics Instructor, GRI Instructor, and Strategies Instructor. She also served as Co-Chair on the Professional Standards and Arbitration Committee at the Hawai‘i Board of Realtors, a seat held for seven years.

Birthday fun at home with Cherie and her family.

Why Hawai‘i Life?

Cherie has been an integral part of the O‘ahu real estate community for years. She knows most of the players and brokers statewide and has served on local boards, as Director for both the Hawai‘i Association of Realtors and the Honolulu Board of Realtors.

As a result, she says, “I have learned a lot about the various business models and cultures available, and though there are many fine brokerages, I chose Hawai‘i Life because of the company culture, work ethic, and lifestyle. I like the company’s vision and am impressed with its performance. Most importantly, I like their heart for Hawai‘i!”

Fun with the Tsukamoto family off the shores of Waikiki, celebrating Cherie on Mother’s day last year.

Joining Hawai‘i Life has been a great fit for someone who enjoys the synergy of a team and who has consistently partnered with other agents over the years.

“I’m a team player,” says Cherie. “I love using our collective talents to affect the best outcome for our clients. At this season in my life, I love to coach, teach, and mentor. It’s a passion of mine and it gives me purpose.”

Hawai‘i Life’s MO (modus operandi – what we call the HLMO) really resonates with Cherie, who believes that truly aligning yourself with a culture that matches your own core values is good for the mind and soul.

Cherie with George the labradoodle, her new “grand-dog”.

What Clients Can Expect

Family-focused and purpose-driven, Cherie loves working with others who are equally authentic, transparent, and people-focused. With a strong desire to understand people’s motives and desires, she approaches her clients and her business with a “seek first to understand” philosophy. “It’s not about me. It’s about them. What can I do to help them achieve their desired outcome?”

Cherie also helps buyers and sellers gain a good perspective on the market so they can see the big picture. She counsels her clients to help them make the best buying or selling decisions while effecting smooth and successful transactions for all parties.

She admires those who have “servant hearts” and character qualities like humility, commitment, steadfastness, and dependability. Through her practice, Cherie has built many lifelong relationships with her clients and she credits connection, empathy, and understanding for her success. Cherie says she’s most inspired by her husband, who she describes as “her rock”.

Art Tsukamoto taking on the role of grill master in the family’s backyard.

Cherie’s Hawai‘i Life

Cherie met her husband, a local boy, on Kaua‘i. After several years, she says jokingly, “he finally woke up and realized I was the girl of his dreams.” Thirty-eight years and three kids later, they are still happily married and live in the Hawai‘i Kai area of O‘ahu.

“We moved here in 1985 and this vibrant, waterfront community has become our home,” says Cherie. “We work, play and do life in this place. All three of our kids grew up in the same house and we’ve attended the same church for years. It’s where we do life and we love it.”

Cherie says she’s been fortunate to travel and have fun over her lifetime, but what she enjoys most are quiet family dinners, backyard barbecues, a beach day, long walks, a good hike, or a really good book. A few of her favorite places include Makapu’u, Sherwood’s, Kailua Beach, Sandy’s Beach and Paiko Lagoon (as seen in the first photo, above).

“Most recently,” she says, “I have fun watching my new baby granddaughter. It’s the best!”

Getting a first glimpse at their first grandchild, baby Alicia (pronounced A-lee-si-a), born December 31, 2019.

Books Cherie Recommends

Cherie is an avid reader who says, “Books are my friends. Some are game-changers. Transformational.”

A strong believer in servant leadership, Cherie points to the Bible as one of her favorite reads. Here, she shares a few other favorite life-changing books that have impacted her life and her work:

• Battlefield of the Mind – Joyce Meyers
• Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren
• Boundaries – Dr. Henry Cloud
• Daring Greatly – Dr. Brene Brown
• Chase the Lion – Mark Batterson

Please visit Cherie’s website to learn more about her approach to real estate. You can reach out to her directly to discuss your O‘ahu, Hawai‘i real estate needs at 808-227-2216 or via email at cherietsukamoto@hawaiilife.com.

Cherie with her first grandchild Alicia. “Her middle name is Chiyoko after her grandmother. We call her ‘Chiyo’, says Cherie.”