With Hawaii’s robust economy and business environment, there are many great investment companies operating in the state. For investors looking to put their money to work in Hawaii, it’s important to know the top firms and what they specialize in. In this article, we’ll provide a list of the top 5 investment companies in Hawaii for 2023 along with an overview of their investment strategies and focus areas. Understanding the Hawaii investment landscape can help investors make informed decisions on where to put their capital. There are investment companies focused on real estate, private equity, venture capital and more across the islands.
Dependable financial institutions for Hawaii investors
Two of the largest and most well-known investment companies in Hawaii are Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank. As leading financial institutions on the islands, they offer wealth management, investment advisory services, brokerage accounts and more to help clients grow and preserve wealth. Bank of Hawaii has over $20 billion in assets under management while First Hawaiian Bank manages over $15 billion for clients. For investors looking for established firms with a strong Hawaii presence, these banks have the size, experience and resources to meet a range of investment needs.
Specialized real estate investment companies
Given Hawaii’s high-value real estate market, particularly on Oahu, there are several noteworthy real estate investment companies operating in the state. Hawaii Island Homes focuses on luxury residential real estate investment, development and property management. The firm works with high net worth investors to identify development opportunities and manage income-generating luxury homes. Another specialized real estate investment company is The MacNaughton Group which invests in Hawaii commercial real estate including retail, industrial, office and hotel assets. Their deep expertise in Hawaii real estate makes them a leading player in the commercial market.
Leading Hawaii venture capital and private equity firms
For investors focused on backing Hawaii’s emerging companies, there are great venture capital and private equity firms to consider. Sultan Ventures is one of Hawaii’s most active early-stage VCs investing in tech startups founded in Hawaii or with strong ties to the state. Some of their investments include Hawaii’s space launch startup SpinLaunch and digital healthcare company Patch. On the private equity side, Koa Capital Partners is focused exclusively on providing growth capital to middle market companies based in Hawaii. Since 2004, they’ve invested in over 20 Hawaii-based businesses across technology, healthcare, consumer and other sectors.
Boutique investment advisors catering to Hawaii HNWIs
In addition to large institutions, Hawaii is also home to specialized independent investment advisory firms catering to high net worth individuals. Akahi Advisors is a Honolulu-based firm focused on bespoke investment management and financial planning services for wealthy families and individuals in Hawaii. They emphasize a goals-based approach to investments tailored to each client. Holbrook Working Capital Management is a boutique investment advisor that applies a private equity approach to construct concentrated public equity portfolios for clients. For investors looking for a personalized touch, Hawaii’s boutique investment advisors offer high-engagement services.
Community-focused investment managers with Hawaii ties
Some investment firms in Hawaii also aim to have an impact on local communities in addition to generating sound returns. Ulupono Initiative is a unique investment company based in Honolulu focused on improving Hawaii’s sustainability and self-sufficiency through investments in clean energy, local food production, waste management and more. The company was founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar who was raised in Hawaii. Kohala Capital Partners is another example of an investment firm with deep community ties, partnering with Hawaii-based family offices to invest in companies supporting sustainability, healthcare access, education and financial inclusion in Hawaii.
For investors active in or with an interest in Hawaii, it’s important to understand the landscape of investment companies operating in the state across banking, real estate, venture capital and other asset classes. Local market knowledge and community ties distinguish the top Hawaii investment firms.