Kelly Simek

How would you introduce yourself to a stranger?

I am an energetic, goal-oriented, community-loving woman who loves to spread joy and help others. I am lucky to be abe to do both of those in both of my careers; hosting a lifestyle show and selling luxury real estate. I worked in the media as a news and weather anchor for nearly a decade before choosing to take over the lifestyle show, Living808. With this new position, I am able to take on KHON’s slogan of “Working for Hawaii” in a different way. Instead of just reporting, informing, or forecasting, I can now entertain and spread joy in a much bigger way, all while showcasing all that Hawai‘i has to offer. I also co-host Empowered, a show that features the importance of renewable energy and sustainability for our islands.

Since joining the Alesia Barnes Team at Compass, I am now working for

Hawai‘i through real estate. I take pride in making the home buying and selling process as enjoyable and timely as possible for my clients. I am on one of the state’s top producing teams, along with brilliant Realtors and brokers with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

In the next 10 years, what do you hope to see in your industry?

In real estate, I hope to see home buying more accessible to all, especially local Hawai‘i residents. For the media side, I am hoping to see adaptation and integration with the newest technology and platforms. Media sources are becoming more diverse and varied than ever before, and it will be exciting to keep up with the changes and put out content on the platforms with the most impact.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about both jobs is that they’re fun! I am thrilled to be part of a show that showcases and celebrates my favorite parts of life and particularly life in Hawai‘i. We feature food, fashion, fitness, culture, and travel—truly everything that I’m most passionate about. On my show, I am able to bring entertainment and joy to our viewers while also inspiring them to live their best, most fulfilling life.

For real estate, I love making my clients comfortable and helping to make the process as seamless and easy as possible for them. It brings me joy to help other people, so working in real estate is fulfilling for me. Getting to tour Hawai‘i’s most luxurious homes is a plus, too.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry?

In this day and age, there are a plethora of challenges in the real estate industry—from online scammers and fake agents or listings to the uncertainty of the economy and rising interest rates. In media, I think it’s making sure we are keeping up with the times, and the latest tech/platforms.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your career?

Waking up every day at 2:30 a.m. for eight years straight. I am thrilled that is no longer my life, but I probably knocked a few years off my life from sleep deprivation.

What has been the biggest reward?

The biggest reward in both of my careers has been the feeling of fulfillment and purpose.

What failure taught you the biggest lesson?

I actually got turned down from a local news station while in my last year at UH. The news director told me that if I wanted to be an on-air talent right away that I would need to pay my dues working at a much smaller station in a much smaller town. I ended up getting hired at the bigger news station just a few months later. It just goes to show if one person doesn’t see your value or potential, it doesn’t mean it’s not there and that no one else will. Your value doesn't decrease based on someone else's inability to see your worth. Keep trying!

What makes you stand out as a leader?

I think my spirit is what makes me stand out the most. I am driven and hardworking, but more importantly I am kind and effervescent.

As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally?

I wish I knew my worth and what I deserved sooner, both personally and professionally...mostly personally.

What are two of the most important milestones of your career?

The most important milestones in my careers were the ones that I felt I took the reins and took control of my life. I loved reporting news and weather, but I felt those early mornings eating away at me. When I decided to move to the later show, it was a turning point for my career but also in life. I love the content of the lifestyle show, but I now love the new content of my actual lifestyle even more.

For my real estate career, the biggest milestone was choosing to start. Becoming a Realtor made me a businesswoman. I always have had my side hustles that I’ve worked hard at— social media, emcee work, conference speaking, etc., but real estate was the first that really made me feel like I started my own business. Real estate is one of the few professions where the effort you put into it is directly proportional to what you get out of it, and I am loving giving it my all.

How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years?

All of my big career changes have happened in the last three years, so the pivots are real. The biggest ways I have grown have been a direct result of the people I am surrounded by. My closest real estate team members, Alesia, Aaron and Cammie, have been incredible mentors and have opened my eyes to all that this business can and should be, and how to professionally and effectively conduct myself. I truly feel that I am learning from the best.

At the station, I continue to work closely with my co-host John Veneri and our Living808 reporter Mikey Monis. They are both balls of energy and so much fun to be around, but we are also very serious and driven when it comes to putting out the best entertainment show for the people of Hawai‘i.

What makes you feel like a boss?

One particular stand-out time of feeling like a boss actually happened this summer. I was travelling in Europe for a couple weeks and opened escrow on two homes for two of my clients. Being able to set up meetings at 1 am in Amsterdam in order to negotiate and close deals from the other side of world felt like the epitome of being a boss babe.

What scares you about the future?

That it's unknown! I try to have a positive mental attitude in all facets of life though, so I like to turn any fear or uncertainty of the future into excitement for what could be. But also, climate change and that humanity may not have much of a future.