Hailame Kinikini grew up in a family of ten, including his seven siblings and parents, who were both full Tongan, with grandparents hailing directly from the islands. As the second oldest, Hailame experienced a childhood defined by resilience and adaptability. His father, one of the first full Tongans to earn an MD in the U.S., originally worked in social work, a field that offered little financial stability. Driven by the desire to provide more for his family, he made the bold decision to return to school and pursue medicine, eventually becoming a psychiatrist. This journey was not without sacrifice. Hailame’s family often lived in cramped conditions, sharing small spaces, while his father hustled through medical school. With his mother working for Delta, they traveled frequently, following his father’s medical rotations across states, which further enriched Hailame’s upbringing.
During his teenage years in Bakersfield, California, Hailame attended high school, served an LDS mission after graduating in Ghana, and returned home to a family transformed by his father’s completed residency. The experience in Ghana was life-changing, instilling in him a profound appreciation for opportunities back home in America. Upon returning, his family had moved to Elk Ridge, Utah—a significant culture shock but also a blessing, as it was here he met his wife next door. This move inspired the name of his real estate company, Elk Ridge Management. Hailame embraced his college years, playing football at Snow College, later attended Weber State, where he also served as Diversity VP in student government. Later, his wife completed her degree, and unexpectedly, they became pregnant with their first child during her junior year of volleyball. Though she had graduated, she still had one senior year left to play but chose not to continue. He knew he had to provide for their growing family. Balancing responsibilities, he sold security systems, a venture that surprisingly led him to reevaluate his initial goal of becoming a doctor.
“WE BELONG, WE CAN EARN A SEAT AT DIFFERENT TABLES, WE CAN BE BUSINESS-OWNERS, BUSINESS GURUS, ASTRONAUTS, WE CAN BE ANYTHING WE WANT. POLYNESIANS ARE SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST PEOPLE. WE ARE BRIGHT, WE WERE BUILT FOR THIS.”
– Hailame Kinikini
As Hailame excelled in sales, earning significant income, he faced a pivotal decision: continue on the medical path or dive into entrepreneurship. Choosing the latter, he dropped out of college and embraced door-to-door sales full-time, which honed his skill set. This transition eventually led him to Houston, where he managed a sales team and launched his real estate venture. In 2018, after buying his first property, he thought about moving again but didn’t want the hassle of moving furniture. The idea of turning it into an Airbnb sparked his interest, igniting a passion for real estate. By 2020, with a leap of faith and limited savings, he officially started Elk Ridge Management. The company flourished, growing to over 150 properties and generating millions in revenue. Reflecting on his journey, Hailame emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself and leveraging one’s unique background. He urges the Pacific Islander community to recognize their potential beyond traditional paths, embracing entrepreneurship and investing in education. His vision is to inspire others to realize that greatness is within reach, rooted in their heritage and driven by a spirit of exploration and innovation just like our ancestors.
If you’re looking to build your own Short Term Rental Business you can learn directly from Hailame and his team. Hit the link to start your financial freedom journey today.
