Honolulu Realtors
promote Freeman

The move represents a shift
in the structure of the
4,000-member group

Star-Bulletin staff

The Honolulu Board of Realtors said it has changed its leadership structure so it can function more easily as a business.

The board has promoted Peter Freeman from executive vice president to president and chief executive officer. The organization's board of directors, led by Linda Marn, will oversee Freeman and the administration staff.

Previously, the 21-member board of directors was in charge of the administration of the group. Now it will work more like a corporation with Freeman providing direction for the group and answering to the directors.

Freeman said changes include new products being developed by the board that will not only serve its nearly 4,000 members but also will be made available to the public.

"We will be offering a new public records product (in the fall) so you can get all the public information based on property, and get it at one place," Freeman said. "Government agencies and lawyers may be interested in this product."

For example, a public records search will provide the sales history, permits, taxes, and liens for specific parcels, according to the board.

The board recently started a rental data base for its members, which it also plans to make available to the general public for a fee.

Freeman said the Honolulu group is one of the largest Realtor boards in the nation and wants to use its Web site to work with other boards on the mainland.

"We're ahead of the industry in some ways," he said.

The board also is getting more active in politics, and for the first time will be endorsing and supporting financially -- City Council candidates, Freeman said.