The Life in Business: Coldwell Banker Day-Lum Properties/Day-Lum Rentals & Management, Inc.

Nancy Cabral has worked her way up from the little island of Moloka‘i to become a major player in the real estate and property management business on Hawai‘i Island. She came to Hilo in 1978 and has lived here for 34 years.

“I was working in the visitor industry when I took a class with Arden Moore of Vitousek Real Estate School in the hopes of getting a future job as a resident manager,” Cabral said. “I obtained my Real Estate license and began to do property management in Hilo. After three years, I took the brokers class from Arden Moore, and she loaned me $2,000 to open my own property management company. This has grown from 20 rental houses and six homeowner associations to more than 600 residential rental houses, 31 condominium and subdivision associations, 162 commercial business locations, 25 vacation rentals and five Federal HUD projects. To take care of this large volume, I now employ 26 employees and have 16 Real Estate sales agents with my real estate firms.”

From a tiny back office, they have grown and now occupy over 4,000 square feet at 2 Kamehameha St. in downtown Hilo.

When asked what challenges she has faced, Cabral says: “Since 1984, I have been up and down with a variety of economic conditions, government regulations and industry changes. The greatest challenges are with the people. Over these 28 years in business, the attitude of people is the greatest challenge. Honesty and ethics are becoming harder and harder to find. I have had lots of opportunities to struggle in my past, and those experiences help me through the difficult times. In addition to having a degree in Social Work, I have been homeless in my past, and that combination of experiences helps me to work with people as clients, employees and co-workers.”

As owner of Coldwell Banker Day-Lum Properties and Day-Lum Rentals and Management, Inc., Cabral says her primary market is East Hawai‘i. “We represent buyers, sellers and owners of residential and commercial properties, residential tenants and businesses; we have had repeat customers for 28 years. Most companies only help with buying and selling.

We do it all—buy, sell, rent, lease and manage all types of real estate.”

Cabral hopes to inspire people to do better. “I would like everyone in America to support hard work, honesty and taking responsibility for our own actions. We all have choices. If we are not a part of the solution, then we are a part of the problem.”

2 Kamehameha Ave. in Historic Downtown Hilo
808.935.0399 and 808.935.4152
NancyC@daylum.com
Daylum.com