REALTOR® Debbie Arakaki with Compass in Lahaina is one of five winners chosen as a recipient of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Good Neighbor Awards.

Debbie has raised funds to provide more than one million meals through the Maui Food Bank. Since 2015, she has rallied the real estate community to host food drives, run fundraisers and volunteer for food-packing events. Now, in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, she is amping up her efforts to help thousands of families who lost their homes. Debbie and a group of other long-time Maui residents collaborated to create the Maui Pono Foundation to provide immediate funds to neighbors in need. READ: Debbie’s story

“I am truly humbled to have been chosen for this award,” Debbie said. “So many real estate agents make invaluable contributions to their communities, and I am honored to be part of this group. My Maui community has provided so much for me and my family over the years, driving me to give back in any way I can, and I’m so proud that the Maui Food Bank Organization is today a vital resource for the many families grappling with food insecurity on our island.”

“As we honor Debbie, we are reminded of the broader purpose that unites us in the real estate profession,” said NAR President Tracy Kasper. “Beyond sales and contracts, it’s the people, their stories and the shared dreams that matter. She is making a difference in her community and improving lives every single day, underlining the true spirit of community engagement.”

Debbie and the other four Good Neighbor Award winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and be featured in the fall 2023 issue of REALTOR® Magazine. NAR will formally present each with their award on November 15 during NAR NXT, the association’s annual conference that will take place in Anaheim this year.
 
Debbie also ranked in the top three in the Realtor.com® Web Choice Favorite voting and will receive a bonus $1,250 grant for her charity.

Congratulations, Debbie!

WATCH: Debbie Arakaki’s story