Steve Sombrero, a notable figure in Hawaii’s business landscape, has carved out a unique niche by combining his passions for real estate and beer. As the president and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks, his entrepreneurial journey began in Guam, where he explored various industries, including tourism and chicken farming, before moving to Hawaii in the early 1990s.

After earning an MBA from the University of Hawaii, Sombrero shifted his focus to commercial real estate, eventually acquiring his current firm. His fluency in Japanese has played a pivotal role in his success, stemming from his upbringing with a Japanese mother and his professional experiences with Japanese executives in previous decades.

Over the years, Sombrero has established strong relationships with Japanese clients, facilitating major transactions in coveted areas like Waikīkī and Honolulu. One of his most significant achievements was brokering the sale of luxury homes in Kāhala from Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto to Alexander & Baldwin for $135 million, a deal that expanded to include additional properties in Waimānalo and Maui.

Sombrero’s blend of diverse business interests and language skills has not only defined his career but has also earned him recognition from the University of Hawaii’s Shidler College of Business. His innovative approach exemplifies the fusion of different industries can lead to substantial success.