Derek Lau

2021 REALTOR® of the Year – Honolulu Board of REALTORS®

The prestigious HBR REALTOR® of the Year Award annually honors one special REALTOR® who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the real estate profession as well as the community-at-large. The blue-ribbon REALTOR® of the Year Committee selects the REALTOR® of the Year on the basis of REALTOR® spirit, faithfulness to the HBR REALTOR® Code of Ethics, civic activity, business accomplishments and local, state and national REALTOR® participation.

Earning high praise from the selection committee, Derek personifies the values of the REALTOR® organization, making meaningful contributions to the advancement of the real estate profession and the community at large.

2024 Aloha Aina REALTOR Award Winner

The Aloha ‘Aina REALTOR® Awards Program, which began in 1998, honors and publicly recognizes REALTORS® who excel in the real estate profession and provide exceptional service to their clients. Nominations are only accepted from the public at large.

Derek brings a detailed, service oriented business approach to real estate. A graduate of the University of Oregon in Computer and Information Sciences, Derek previously worked as a software design engineer and consultant for a top Honolulu firm servicing clients in Hawaii and the mainland, he utilizes the communication, dedication, attention to detail and analytical skills of his previous profession combined with over 20 years of full-time real estate experience to service his clients real estate needs.

Dedicated to continually pursuing professional development and higher education in his field, Derek is a Certified Residential Specialist®, a designation only given to the top 3 percent of Realtors in the nation. To earn the CRS designation, Realtors must demonstrate outstanding professional achievements — including high-volume sales — and pursue advanced training in areas such as finance, marketing and technology.

In addition, Derek holds several other designations including:

Certified Residential Specialist®
Certified International Property Specialist®
Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager®
Designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
Certified Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist®
Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource®
Certified e-PRO®

Derek is truly committed to giving back to his community and his profession. Some of his past and current leadership roles include:

2025 Director-at-Large – Honolulu Board of REALTORS®
2021 State President – Hawai‘i REALTORS®
2020-2022 Director – National Association of REALTORS®
2019-2021 Director-at-Large – Honolulu Board of REALTORS®
2017 President – HiCentral MLS
2015-2018 Chair – Honolulu Board of REALTORS® City Affairs Committee
2014-2016 Director – HiCentral MLS
2013-Present Federal Political Coordinator for U.S. Senator Schatz – National Association of REALTORS®

Outside of real estate, Derek has served his community in the following leadership capacities:

2024, 2025 President – Board of Directors, United Cerebral Palsy Association
2016, 2017 President – Board of Directors, United Cerebral Palsy Association
2017-2018 Chairman of the Board – Hawaii Technology Development Corporation