Carrie Nicholson

Principal Broker & Vice President of Sales and Marketing | Kohanaiki Realty
Top Luxury Real Estate Broker on the Big Island of Hawaii

With more than 25 years of experience in luxury real estate on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Carrie Nicholson is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished and trusted real estate professionals in the state. As Principal Broker and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kohanaiki Realty, Carrie has built a distinguished career representing Hawaii’s most exclusive residential and land properties, achieving nearly $2 billion in total sales volume throughout her career.

Carrie began her real estate career at Clark Realty, where she quickly rose to the top as a leading producer. Through discipline, market expertise, and an unwavering commitment to her clients, she consistently ranked among the Top Brokers in the region. She later served as Principal Broker for Kukio Properties, where she led the sales team for one of Hawai‘i’s most prestigious luxury communities, representing sophisticated buyers and sellers who demand discretion, excellence, and exceptional results.

Renowned for her deep knowledge of Hawaii Island luxury real estate, Carrie brings unparalleled insight into high-end residential properties, oceanfront estates, resort communities, and premier land opportunities. Her expertise has made her a trusted advisor for high-net-worth individuals, developers, and families seeking both primary residences and legacy properties in Hawai‘i.

Carrie Nicholson’s career and market leadership have been featured in leading national and international publications including Forbes, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Modern Luxury Hawaii, and the New York Post. She has also been repeatedly recognized by Hawai‘i Business Magazine as one of the state’s top real estate agents—an acknowledgment of her consistent performance, professionalism, and influence in the luxury market.

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Carrie has a profound connection to the land and ocean that defines the islands. She is a certified U.S. Coast Guard submarine co-pilot, rescue scuba diver, and free diver. Her passion for the ocean led to collaborations with National Geographic on underwater documentary films and photography, further reflecting her deep respect for Hawai‘i’s natural environment. Adding to her diverse background, Carrie spent eight years as an international model in Japan, serving as the face of major global brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Sony Group, and Kao Cosmetics Japan.

This rare combination of global experience and local roots gives Carrie a nuanced understanding of Hawai‘i’s unique sense of place—an invaluable advantage when advising clients on luxury real estate investments. Having witnessed the Big Island’s growth and transformation firsthand, she leverages her extensive market knowledge, strategic insight, and refined negotiation skills to help clients make informed decisions aligned with their lifestyle goals, values, and long-term vision.

Carrie is known for her intuitive understanding of her clients’ needs and her ability to provide the resources, guidance, and discretion required to turn real estate aspirations into reality.

She resides on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawai‘i with her husband, Winton—General Contractor of Nicholson, LLC—and their three children, continuing to live the island lifestyle she so passionately represents.