en.Wedoany.com Reported - Kauai Bahia Holdings, founded by Ernesto Simões, is developing residential projects in Hawaii targeting local communities and the high-end market, with some luxury homes priced at up to $25 million. The company introduces Brazilian residential architectural design concepts to Hawaii, led by architect Caio Bandeira, featuring large integrated spaces, extensive use of wood, natural lighting, and a strong connection with the landscape.
Ernesto Simões was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and developed a passion for surfing at an early age. While studying international business in California, surfing evolved from a hobby into a deep love. When he first visited Hawaii in 1995, it was "love at first sight," he said in an interview with Carlos Burle on the NeoFeed-supported program "Bravamente." He then conceived the idea of settling there, but this plan was shelved for over two decades. After returning to Brazil, he built a career in the media industry with his brothers. In 2016, after selling the family business, his son suffered from appendicitis that developed into a systemic infection, hovering between life and death in the ICU for several days. This event became a catalyst. "I promised that if he came out safe and sound, I would change my life," he said. Months later, the family moved to Hawaii, aiming to provide his son with more space for free activities and a childhood similar to his own in Salvador.
To support this new lifestyle, Ernesto founded Kauai Bahia Holdings, whose strategy is to introduce international elements of Brazilian residential architecture to the Hawaiian market. These projects are "the charm of Bahian-style houses adapted for the American market," he summarized. To scale operations, the company established an independent supply chain: most woodwork, furniture, and decorations are produced in factories in Indonesia and shipped to Hawaii, reducing reliance on scarce local labor. This model has allowed the company to carve out a niche in the local high-end market, with project prices reaching up to $25 million.
Recently, rising interest rates in the US have increased credit costs, reduced market liquidity, and made buyers more cautious, putting pressure on the company. Ernesto says he sees a connection between his business and his passion for big-wave surfing. "The adrenaline and pressure are very similar," he said. According to him, the physical and mental preparation methods developed for tackling giant waves have helped the company navigate the market slowdown without abandoning its expansion plans.
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