How One Single Mom Bought Her First Home in Hawaiʻi (And You Can Too)

How One Single Mom Bought Her First Home in Hawaiʻi (And You Can Too)

Can you really afford to buy a home in Hawaiʻi? For many first-time buyers, military families, and veterans, homeownership feels impossible. High home prices, rising HOA fees, insurance costs, and uncertainty about mortgage rates often keep people renting longer than they planned. In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Uliya Sparks to discuss what it really takes to become a homeowner in Hawaiʻi—and why waiting for the "perfect time" isn't always the best financial decision. Uliya shares her incredible journey from being born in Russia, choosing adoption at a young age, serving in the U.S. Army, and building a successful federal cybersecurity career before purchasing her first home in Ho'opili using her VA home loan benefit. She explains how refinancing at the right time helped lower her payment, the lessons she learned about homeowners insurance and HOA costs, and how long-term planning made homeownership possible. The conversation goes far beyond real estate. Uliya also opens up about leaving the security of a GS-14 federal career to follow a greater purpose through entrepreneurship, launching her nonprofit Cyber Seeds and cybersecurity consulting company Reckless Technologies. Throughout the episode, Larry and Uliya discuss faith, courage, leadership, resilience, and trusting God's direction during life's biggest transitions. Whether you're thinking about buying your first home, transitioning out of the military, building a business, or simply looking for encouragement to take your next step, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiring perspective. In This Episode * Buying a first home in Hawaiʻi * VA loans and military homeownership * Affording life in Hawaiʻi * Refinancing and mortgage strategy * HOA fees, insurance, and hidden ownership costs * From Russia to America: Uliya's adoption story * Army service and building a federal career * Leaving a GS-14 career for entrepreneurship * Cybersecurity, AI, and protecting people online * Faith, surrender, leadership, and finding purpose Episode Chapters 00:00 Meet Uliya Sparks 00:33 Buying Her First Home in Hawaiʻi 03:25 Refinancing at the Right Time 05:20 Sticker Shock: The Reality of Hawaiʻi Home Prices 06:07 Growing Up in Russia & Choosing Adoption 07:07 Why She Joined the Army 10:08 Army Life & Logistics 12:38 Building a Career in Cybersecurity 14:41 Becoming a Single Mom 15:17 Advancing to GS-14 17:46 Why She Rented Before Buying 20:02 Homeowners Insurance Challenges 27:57 HOA Fees & Community Living 33:29 Making Hawaiʻi Affordable 34:16 Leaving Government for Entrepreneurship 36:16 Following a New Calling 37:05 Young Adults & Financial Mindset 39:14 Taking a Leap of Faith 40:10 Parenting in a Technology-Driven World 44:04 Surrender Over Fear 46:28 Building Community 49:31 Anger, Ego & Personal Growth 58:49 Mentorship & Trusted Relationships 1:03:29 Burnout & Discovering Purpose 1:07:16 Launching Reckless Technologies 1:11:51 Final Thoughts Connect with Uliya Sparks 📱⁠ LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-uliya-sparks-47026046/] 🌐 ⁠Cyber Seed⁠ [https://cyberseeds.org/]s 💻 ⁠Reckless Technologies⁠ [https://reckless-technologies.net/about/] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation encouraged you or helped you better understand homeownership, military life, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or leadership, we'd love your support! 👍 Like this episode ⭐Subscribe today so you never miss an episode!

Buying a Home in Hawaii? Here's What Military Families Need to Know

What should military families know before buying a home in Hawaii? Is it better to buy or rent? How do you build wealth while stationed in one of the country's most expensive housing markets? In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Hawaii REALTOR®, photographer, and military spouse Lexi Brown to discuss the financial, emotional, and personal decisions that shape a successful move to Hawaii. Lexi shares why she specializes in serving military families, how she built a thriving real estate business through authentic social media, and the biggest mistakes she sees homebuyers make. She also opens up about her remarkable personal transformation—losing 92 pounds naturally, overcoming depression, strengthening her faith, and homeschooling her two daughters. Whether you're PCSing to Hawaii, buying your first home, or looking for encouragement to overcome life's challenges, this conversation is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories. In This Episode * Should military families buy or rent in Hawaii? * Using your VA home loan benefit wisely * The biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make * Building wealth through real estate instead of renting * Growing a business through authentic social media * Losing 92 pounds through lifestyle changes * Overcoming depression and finding hope through faith * Finding community at Inspire Church * Homeschooling children with autism * Long-term financial planning and setting priorities * Connect with Lexi Brown * 📱 Instagram: @TheRealLexiBrown * REALTOR® | Photographer | Military Family Advocate Chapters 00:00 Why Being Indecisive Costs You More 01:07 Meet Lexi Brown 03:17 Why Lexi Serves Military Families 05:23 Building a Business Through Social Media 08:01 Losing 92 Pounds Naturally 13:26 Faith, Mental Health & Finding Purpose 17:03 Finding Community at Inspire Church 22:01 Thriving After a PCS to Hawaii 28:48 Should You Buy or Rent in Hawaii? 35:17 How to Avoid Becoming House Poor 41:39 Homeschooling on Oahu 49:44 Hawaii Housing Market Opportunities 52:50 Mortgage Strategies Every Buyer Should Know 59:48 Final Reflections 1:03:28 Closing Thoughts 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to In Search of Excellence: Island Style on YouTube, and follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss a conversation with leaders who are raising the standard through purpose, values, and aloha. If this episode provided value, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

Kirsten Connell & Jasmine Bell: Your First Step To Homeownership | Pre-Approval Guide

What makes a great Realtor? According to Jasmine Bell and Kirsten Connell of Hawaiʻi Home Group, it's not about selling homes—it's about helping clients make confident, informed financial decisions. In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with two of Oʻahu's top real estate professionals to discuss what it means to put clients first. From military relocations and negotiating incredible deals to helping homeowners maximize equity through strategic renovations, this conversation is packed with practical advice for buyers, sellers, investors, and real estate professionals alike. Jasmine and Kirsten explain why they view themselves as a GPS for their clients—providing expert guidance while empowering buyers and sellers to make the decisions that best fit their goals. They also share how they built Hawaiʻi Home Group, why fiduciary duty is at the center of everything they do, and how long-term relationships matter far more than simply closing transactions. Whether you're buying your first home, relocating to Hawaiʻi, investing in real estate, or preparing to sell, you'll walk away with valuable insights that can help you make smarter financial decisions. In This Episode * Why fiduciary duty should come before commissions * How Hawaiʻi Home Group was built on trust and teamwork * The importance of educating—not selling—clients * Helping military and PCS families make smart housing decisions * Negotiation strategies that have saved clients tens of thousands of dollars * How renovations and project management can dramatically increase a home's value * Why staging and marketing are critical in today's Oʻahu market * Annual property reviews and treating your home like an investment portfolio * Giving back to the community through the Hawaiian Humane Society and local charities * Building lifelong client relationships that extend far beyond the closing table Episode Chapters 00:00 – Realtor GPS Mindset 01:55 – How Jasmine & Kirsten Got Started in Real Estate 06:58 – Building Hawaiʻi Home Group 10:34 – Fiduciary Duty Before Commissions 19:37 – Understanding the Client Before the House 22:21 – Military Relocation & Referral-Based Business 24:23 – Renovations That Create Equity 29:38 – Giving Back to the Community 36:27 – Winning in Today's Oʻahu Housing Market 42:43 – Why the Relationship Doesn't End at Closing 47:07 – Money, Relationships & Life Lessons 52:06 – Final Thoughts 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to In Search of Excellence: Island Style on YouTube, and follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss a conversation with leaders who are raising the standard through purpose, values, and aloha. If this episode provided value, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

How Jade Medeiros Balances Four Kids, Client Relationships, and Mortgage Life in Hawaiʻi

In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Jade Medeiros, Client Relations Manager at The Broker, for a candid conversation about family, work, leadership, and what it takes to build a service-first mortgage business in Hawaiʻi. Jade shares what life looks like as a mother of four while balancing client relations, business development, events, CRM systems, and the day-to-day needs of a growing mortgage team. From football practices and family routines to helping run the Successful Homeowner series, holiday trolley events, webinars, and client education efforts, Jade gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the "work is life" rhythm that keeps everything moving. Larry and Jade also talk about leadership lessons, team accountability, communication, and why taking care of people matters in a high-stress industry like mortgage and real estate. Larry reflects on his biggest career mistake, the importance of sharing bad news early, and how education became the heart of The Broker's mission. The episode also dives into the reality of living and buying a home in Hawaiʻi, especially for local families trying to make it work. From first-time buyer education to affordability challenges, VA loans, renovation loan options, and The Broker's five-year vision, this conversation highlights the deeper purpose behind the business: helping people feel informed, supported, and ready for homeownership. Guest List Jade Medeiros Client Relations Manager, The Broker Email: jade@thebrokerhi.com Social: @jadekohou Timestamp Highlights 00:00 Doubt and Beginnings 00:08 Meet Jade Medeiros 02:30 Jade's Roots and Family 03:43 Why Their Partnership Works 04:43 Work Life Balance Reality 08:12 Pet Peeves and Email Habits 09:44 Client Relations vs Growth 13:20 Teamwork Under Pressure 14:56 Career Lessons and Advice 19:49 Managing Four Kids Daily 23:32 Raising Teens and Future Plans 24:09 Making Hawaii Living Work 24:58 Balancing Routines and Roles 25:22 Homeownership Timeline Plans 26:49 Hawaii Housing Reality Check 27:48 Taxes and Kupuna Relief 29:31 Beach Life and Culture 29:58 First Time Buyer Education 30:33 Real Client Numbers Breakthrough 33:02 Success Stories and Misinformation 34:41 Growing The Broker Vision 41:58 Branding Beyond VA Loans 43:51 New Renovation HELOC Product 45:28 Why Education Matters Most 47:52 Gratitude and Closing Aloha

Men's Mental Health Crisis: Suicide, Depression & Military Mental Health With Mike Melso & Dr. Jenny

Men's Mental Health Crisis: Suicide, Depression & Military Mental Health With Mike Melso & Dr. Jenny In this powerful Men's Mental Health Awareness Month episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, the host is joined by retired U.S. Marine Corps service member Mike Melso and active-duty clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny to unpack the silent mental health crisis affecting men across military and civilian life. The conversation explores sobering statistics—one in eight men suffer from depression and men are four times more likely to die by suicide—and goes deeper into the lived realities behind those numbers. Mike Melso shares deeply personal experiences from his 27-year Marine Corps career, including witnessing struggles in garrison environments and the devastating loss of his driver to suicide, highlighting how warning signs are often missed even by close leaders. Dr. Jenny provides clinical insight into why deployed environments can sometimes act as psychological protective factors, the role of substance use in suicide risk, and how modern military mental health systems are evolving. Together, they break down stigma across generations, the importance of self-awareness, fitness, sleep, and nutrition, and why asking for help is not a sign of weakness—but a critical step toward survival and strength. The episode closes with a broader reflection on access to care, veterans' resources, homelessness, and the importance of community, connection, and speaking openly about mental health before it's too late. Guest List Mike Melso — Retired U.S. Marine Corps service member (27 years), leadership experience across multiple deployments, focus on operational military life and mental health awareness Dr. Jenny — Active-duty clinical psychologist specializing in military mental health, suicide prevention, operational stress, and access to care systems Timestamp Highlights 00:00 – Men's Mental Health Awareness Month introduction & key statistics 02:16 – Suicide rates, stigma, and how methods influence outcomes 03:16 – Marine Corps leadership experiences & warning signs in garrison 05:04 – Deployment vs garrison mental health stress factors 10:02 – Generational shift: Gen Z and willingness to seek help 12:27 – Self-care foundations: fitness, sleep, nutrition, awareness 16:25 – Alcohol, drugs, and substance use trends in younger generations 20:28 – Mental health services available in the military system 23:20 – Military eligibility, obesity, and readiness challenges 26:32 – Mental health risk factors across age groups 30:33 – Recognizing warning signs and intervention strategies 36:16 – Psychedelics and emerging PTSD treatment research 38:10 – Resources for veterans and civilians (VA & beyond) 43:33 – Homelessness, mental health, and systemic challenges 45:48 – Closing thoughts: connection, service, and speaking up 🌺 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation helped you better understand men's mental health, suicide risk, or how to support the men in your life, take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it—whether they're in the military, a veteran, or simply navigating life under pressure. Your share might be the reason someone finally reaches out for help. 🤙 Follow In Search of Excellence: Island Style for more conversations with military leaders, clinicians, veterans, and everyday people committed to building strength, resilience, and purpose through real-life experience. Featuring conversations with guests like Mike Melso and Dr. Jenny, we continue to explore the stories behind the statistics—and the paths toward healing, connection, and support.