Hawaiiana Management Company’s own Mele Heresa and Lois Ekimoto, both Vice Presidents at Hawaiiana, recently won the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Hawaii’s First Annual “Amazing Race Challenge,” out of a field of nine teams. The first prize winners, known as “Team Mel-Lo,” were given the opportunity to direct a $1,000 donation from IREM’s Hawaii Chapter to the charity of their choice. Lois and Mele chose the local charity Hale Kipa (www.halekipa.org), which serves the needs of Hawaii’s at-risk youth as recipients of their prize. Hale Kipa’s name means “House of Friendliness.”

The race included seven timed challenges hosted by condo and community association vendors at various locations on Oahu between Waipo and Kakaako. Challenges included giant crossword puzzles, precision volleyball passing and skillfully dodging “wiffle” bullets while balancing an egg on a spoon. Team Mel-Lo’s strategy and competitive spirit brought them a time of almost half of that logged by some of the other competitors. The event concluded with a finish line reception. Good fun was had by all, and it is predicted that many will be honing their skills for next year’s challenge!