Meet a Manager

The Power of Setting Goals

Samantha Kawelo had a big dream as a college student and made it come true at Crosspointe.

BY DON CHAPMAN

Samantha Kawelo TITLE: Resident Manager, Crosspointe Community Association in Halawa

Unlike many people who end up in property management through some twist of fate, Samantha Kawelo knew from a fairly early age that’s what she wanted to do with her life.

“Attending Kapiolani Community College, I was inspired by one of my goal-setting instructors, Terry Wong, who always encouraged her students to think outside the box, and to think big, anything is possible,” Kawelo says. “She asked us to set a five-year goal, and to state where you would be and what you would be doing. She had us focus on a view that you will be at the top of anything you decided to do.”

Kawelo was definitely thinking big. “I wrote that in five years I would be a property manager, managing one of the largest properties on this island, and people would know me by my nickname, Sam.”

And then she set about doing more work to make it happen.

“I started my journey and career into management by first attending a few trade schools, Cannon Business College and KCC, where I majored in hotel management, travel agency, tourism and office technology,” she says.

“I continued my education and received my ARM certification, resident manager’s training certification, security training certifications, IREM certification, M-100 certification, CPO certified pool operator certification, master shingle applicator, CPR, first aid and BLS Certifications.”

So what about that plan she wrote down at KCC?

“Five years passed and Terry wrote to me at Crosspointe, and my eyes were nearly in tears. I had accomplished that goal,” Kawelo says. “I will never forget how she inspired me to really think of the impossible. I am so grateful for her inspiration and encouragement that goals can truly come true.”

By the way, residents, staff, vendors and colleagues all know her as Sam.

How long have you been at Crosspointe?

I am truly blessed to be have been here for 30 years. I started in 1990 as an office assistant and then became the manager.

What first stirred your interest in this profession?

When I was growing up, I would always want to mimic flight attendants as passengers boarded the plane. I was fascinated with the way they went over the safety instructions for the passengers, how they catered to every passenger—they really had a lot of aloha

and kindness in what they did. Same as the hotel operations I observed— I just love the feeling of their hospitality. As I got older, I decided that we are on an island, and what better job could there be than in tourism and building management.

Please tell us about Crosspointe.

Crosspointe is a 546-unit townhouse condominium complex near Aloha Stadium, built in 1985 by one the popular developers, Gentry Homes. The property is 23 acres, with six parking phases, over 1,000 residents and a staff of 17.

Amenities?

The community has a large recreation center facility, an aqua-tiled pool—40,000 gallons, solar-heated and energy-efficient heat pump system, with the latest Tiger cleaning system. Also, an automatic jet-relaxing heated hot tub, great party areas, commercial-style outdoor grills, a beautiful gazebo, kitchen with bar, microwaves, refrigerator, cable TV setup, Wi-Fi internet service, a staging area for events, air-conditioned fitness center with commercial-grade fitness equipment, sand volleyball, tetherball and a Tot Lot playground for kieki to enjoy, including a slide, see-saw, jungle gym and stair climbing.

There’s so much to enjoy at Crosspointe, a terrific central location, close to shopping malls, schools and grocery stores.

The most important qualities in a condominium always have been prime buying opportunities, attractive amenities, location, unique model designs to choose from, spacious sidewalks to get your morning or evening exercise and being a pet-friendly community, with nearby shopping and schools.

Which management company do you work with?

Associa Hawaii. Tom Tobacco is our manager. He’s a dynamic entrepreneur, has great management strategies, is able to compromise in tough situations and get things accomplished. We are truly blessed to work with him.

What about your board?

Crosspointe has nine board directors, all with great talents and able to utilize their unique skills, which helps them make great decisions for the property. We have a monthly meeting and have the best dinners ever. (Full disclosure: Barry Redmayne, BMH senior advertising director, is a longtime board member.)

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What do you like about building management?

Leadership, gaining knowledge, problem solving, customer service, listening to residents’ complaints and concerns, having a working relationship with my residents, getting projects done and creating great results, meeting all requirements requested by the board and networking with vendors. I continue to set goals and use that as a tool to get bigger things accomplished in our community. I have always been in sports and love to compete and conquer any type of challenges at hand.

Do you reside on the property and, if so, what are the advantages?

Yes, I’m the resident manager. It means I am able to provide extra services and security. I can understand and relate to a lot of the residents’ concerns or complaints, and am able to assist as needed. And I like having that caring and loving ohana connection, as we all have to live in peace and harmony.

How has the coronavirus impacted life at Crosspointe?

The quarantine has been a real challenge for all on-site managers to maintain cleanliness and to seriously adhere to all state and federal requirements for the health and safety of all residents, guests and employees.

Regarding our daily operations, we are doing a lot more extra TLC, making sure we keep a social 6-foot distance, and keeping our hands clean. Our residents have been making more effort to exercise, appreciate nature and spend more family quality time.

And we have a lot of volunteers helping to pick up debris, trash, dog poop and keeping our property clean.

Also, we have more neighborhood security watch volunteers and fewer complaints. I think even though our world may feel like it is upside-down, we can make it through these tough times and survive. Challenges are what make life more meaningful. ❖

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