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About Us
A Small But Mighty, Locally Owned Business By A Proud Maui Girl,
Financing Homes Statewide Since 2003!
Tera kidding around at the New York Stock Exchange. Always staying one step ahead and on the pulse of our industry!
34+
Years of Experience
500+
Happy Clients
Aloha! Thank you for visiting.
It is our goal as your full service mortgage company specializing in all of the Hawaiian Islands, to provide you with superior service at all times. Our local expertise and extensive real estate experience will benefit you whether you are serious about buying or selling a home, or are a returning client checking out the many homeowner resources we offer.
Tera Lyn Ha'aheoohonua Paleka, CMPS
Experience: 34 years in the real estate, escrow & mortgage industry
Tera was born and raised right here on Maui. Tera graduated from Baldwin High School and attended college here on Maui as well as Orlando Florida. She started her career in the real-estate industry back in 1994 by becoming the office manager of the largest property management and real estate brokerages on the West Side.
After moving to Orlando in February 1998 she worked for an influential attorney whom also had the biggest title company in Orlando at that time. Tera was proud to be part of the 4 girl team that closed 95% of Walt Disney's prestigious Celebration Subdivisions.
Returning to Maui in February of 2000, she worked for City Bank as Personal Assistant to the Mortgage Production Manager as well as being the processor to the "U.S. Regional Sales Top Producer" (for mortgages) here in Hawaii. After spending time asked to train some of the industry leaders here in Hawaii, Tera realized that she was capable and worth "taking the next step".
Tera decided to start her own contract processing company & mortgage brokerage firm. Maui Pacific Financial Services was born in January 2003. The name changed in December 2004 to Hawaii Financial Services to encourage all of the islands to experience the honest and family orientated mortgage team.
After finding much success Tera expanded her Maui office operation in late 2004 to open offices in Hilo, Princeville & Honolulu. In 2006 Tera flew to New York and spent a week visiting the New York Stock Exchange and became the 1st Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist in the Hawaiian Islands.
In 2006 she also co-authored the book "Wally's Way" — An Action Plan for living a better life while having success in the Real Estate field.
"You might work at the gas station down the road or you may be Ron Howard or Mick Fleetwood. Tera doesn't get caught up in the ego excitement, but she does get caught up in the fact that 'Everyone should be treated like a Star'. Everyone that comes into Hawaii Financial Services is treated as one and the same. Everyone's future counts & every penny matters!"
Shameless Brags About Tera
Hawaii's First CMPS
Tera became Hawaii's first Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist in 2006, earning her certification at the New York Stock Exchange.
Published Author
Co-authored "Wally's Way" — an action plan for living a better life while having success in the real estate field.
Ho'oulu Fastest 50 Awardee
Honored by Governor Mufi Hannemann as Hawaii's #1 locally owned mortgage brokerage and 4th fastest growing business among the state's most profitable 50 companies.
Ho'oulu Fastest 50 — Again
Honored a second time with the Ho'oulu Fastest 50 award from Pacific Business News, First Hawaiian Bank, Becker Communications & Altres HR.
Does She Care?
Tera takes great pride in being involved with community issues such as past and present volunteering with:
- Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise
- County of Maui Affordable Housing Task Force
- Lahaina Tutoring Program
- Na Wai Eha
- Earth Justice
- Na Pu'u Wai
- Go Green Hawaii
- Maui Land & Coastal Trust
- Kula Kaiapuni
- Punana Leo O Maui
- American Red Cross
- Maui Police Department
- Maui County Firefighters Association
- Maui County Fair
- Maui Interscholastic League
- Maui Pop Warner Association
- The Neighborhood Place of Wailuku
- Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus
Commitment
Tera shows her diverse background by understanding the Kama'aina & Malahini cultures alike while making sure no concern is treated as a small one. She shows complete competency in all that she does and conveys.
Tera goes the extra mile to make sure all borrowers' needs and requests are met — that much-needed affordable monthly payment, timely closings, detail to income concerns, and true aspiration for a long-lasting relationship creating a feeling of 'ohana for all involved in the mortgage process. (wow, she sounds like a great person!)
Returning Client?
We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve you and hope you take advantage of the valuable resources we provide. Come back to visit often! We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled service and look forward to developing a long-term relationship with you. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss how we can best assist you with your real estate needs.
Sincerely, Tera L.H. Paleka & Team HIFIS
Life & Community
