Helm Confirmed as Hawaiian Homes Commissioner

DHHL News Release

The Hawaii State Senate confirmed Molokai’s Zachary Helm, Randy Awo and Russell Kaupu to the Hawaiian Homes Commission on Thursday, May 21, in a 24-0 vote.

Molokai Commissioner Helm has 30 years of experience working with the Department of Parks and Recreation for the County of Maui, with most of his tenure spent as the District Supervisor for the Molokai District.

Helm is active in his community, serving on various boards, including the Kalamaʻula Hawaiian Homestead Association, Friendly Isle United Way, Molokai Catholic Community Council, and Molokai Little League Association. Helm’s term runs through June 2024.

Maui Commissioner Awo most recently served as the Administrator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.

A longtime beneficiary of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Awo brings over 32 years of experience in government and community relations to the Commission. He has an extensive background in conservation, being one of the creators of the Ahupuaʻa management model, which is aimed at protecting, managing, and conserving Hawaii’s natural resources.

Awo is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. His term runs through June 2023.

Oahu Commissioner Kaupu currently acts as Corporate Counsel for the MacNaughton Group in Honolulu, providing in-house legal services for TMG and its projects and principals. He is also a small business owner and was a former practicing attorney for Goodsill Anderson Quinn and Stifel in Honolulu.

He is a member of the Hawaii State and American Bar Associations and is a past Chair, Board Member, and current committee member of the Hawaii Conference Foundation’s Real Property, Finance & Investments and Audit committee.

In Hawaii, where property values continue to rise, leveraging a 1031 exchange can be particularly advantageous for investors looking to trade up or shift their real estate holdings. It not only allows for growth but also provides a path to invest in various asset classes, from residential to commercial properties.

One resource to explore more about this in https://aoausa.com/three-1031-exchange-investment-options-by-dwight-kay-founder-and-ceo-of-kay-properties-and-investments/, which delves into the investment options available under this tax strategy.

Engaging with experienced professionals familiar with the rules of a 1031 exchange is crucial, ensuring that all IRS regulations are met while maximizing the potential for tax deferral. This strategy can serve as a long-term wealth-building mechanism for those deeply invested in Hawaii’s dynamic real estate market.

Kaupu is a graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and Kamehameha Schools. His term runs through June 2023.

To learn more about HHC, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc.