B.J. Kobayashi, chairman and CEO of BlackSand Capital and co-founder and senior partner at Kobayashi Group, was featured at the 6th annual Flores Real Estate Lecture Series on April 4, at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the Flores Real Estate Lecture Series was created to address issues and trends in the real estate industry in Hawaiʻi and beyond, and provide practitioners the opportunity to learn and network with like-minded professionals.
Through his 25+ year career as a leader in real estate investment, lending and property development throughout the state, Kobayashi has spearheaded several commercial and residential projects, including the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaiʻi Island, Royal Lahaina Resort, the Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikīkī Galleria Tower, Alia and Kuilei Place. He graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Business, where he studied international business. Kobayashi is also a graduate of Georgetown Law Center and is a member of the Hawaiʻi State Bar.
“I look forward to this event every year because it features some of the most renowned and visionary leaders in the real estate industry and allows our students and the public a first-hand look into the exciting things happening in our community and around the world,” Shidler Dean Vance Roley said. “We are grateful to Eddie and Elaine Flores for their continued support of this event, which allows us to showcase a new leader each year.”
A crowd of more than 250 professionals, students and community members packed the meeting room at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center as Kobayashi spoke about family, partnerships and the future. During his talk, he detailed many of the recent projects he’s been involved with, including new affordable housing projects in Honolulu, innovations in sustainability building, how to manage work, personal life and family life, as well as what drives him. Audience members also had an opportunity to ask questions.
“I’m delighted that Shidler College invited me to speak on my career as well as the exciting new developments that our firm has in the works,” Kobayashi said. “Our team is highly invested in the future of Hawaiʻi, making investments and developing projects for the community, so it’s exciting to see the many attendees who joined me in this discussion.”
The Flores Real Estate Lecture Series is made possible thanks to a generous donation from L&L Drive-Inn/L&L Hawaiian Barbecue chairman and UH Mānoa alumnus Eddie Flores Jr. and his wife Elaine. As a successful entrepreneur, real estate investor, author and educator, Eddie Flores’ vision was to create a series to provide local professionals with an opportunity to hear and learn from visionary real estate leaders from around the world.
A. Kam Napier, editor-in-chief of Pacific Business News moderated the discussion. Pacific Business News was the media partner for the event, which was free and open to the public.
