Kolaiah “Fuzzy” Jardine is a real estate developer, author, and co-founder of Hui Mastermind, a Hawaii-based community focused on empowering Native Hawaiians to build generational wealth. His journey took him from serving time in federal prison to creating a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio and developing affordable housing for local families. As the author of Priced Out of Paradise, Fuzzy is on a mission to teach others how to invest “the Pono way”—with integrity, community, and purpose.
Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.
Key Takeaways
- Fuzzy’s transformation from prison to property developer shows the power of mindset and purpose.
- “The crab in a bucket” mentality, surrounding yourself with the wrong people, keeps you stuck.
- Taking bold, decisive action (even when broke) can change your trajectory.
- Investing education is priceless when you’re ready to implement it.
- “The Pono Way” means people before profit—help others first, and wealth follows.
Topics
From Prison to Property Developer
- Fuzzy grew up in Oahu’s multigenerational households, surrounded by love but also by poverty and addiction.
- After a prison sentence for drug-related charges, he discovered real estate through a white-collar inmate who taught classes on investing.
- Determined to change his life, Fuzzy came out of prison with a new mindset and a mission.
Finding Purpose and Building Mindset
- Initial jobs included window washing, surfing instruction, and valet parking—three jobs just to survive in Hawaii.
- Realized hard work alone wasn’t enough; financial education was key.
- Discovered Rich Dad Poor Dad and began pursuing real estate investing as a way to create generational wealth.
The Turning Point: Fortune Builders
- While preparing to become a pilot, he heard a radio ad for a real estate training event and pivoted immediately.
- Borrowed $20K through a native Hawaiian loan and maxed out credit cards to join the program.
- His conviction came from being “sick and tired of working three jobs” and seeing his parents face foreclosure.
- Worked for free to gain hands-on experience and eventually became the go-to construction and development partner for other investors.
Building Affordable Homes and a Legacy
- Now leading 60+ projects focused on affordable housing on Hawaii’s Big Island.
- Emphasizes integrity and “The Pono Way”: helping families in distress before thinking of profits.
- Sees real estate as a means to restore opportunity for locals priced out of their own communities.
📢 Announcement: Learn about our Apartment Investing Mastermind here.
Round of Insights
Failure that set Kolaiah up for success: Going to prison—being forced to reevaluate his life gave him clarity and purpose.
Digital or mobile resource: TruePeopleSearch.com. Great for finding owners of distressed properties to connect directly.
Book recommendation: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
Daily habit: Prayer, expressing gratitude daily for where he is and the opportunities ahead.
#1 insight for building generational wealth: Dial in your “why.” Once you know it, nothing can stop you from achieving success.
Favorite restaurant in Honolulu, HI: Zippy’s.
Next Steps
- Get Fuzzy’s book Priced Out of Paradise on Amazon.com
- Visit fuzzyjardine.com to learn about his projects and mentorship opportunities
- Follow him on Instagram for real estate education and community impact stories
Thank you for joining us for another great episode! If you’re enjoying the show, please LEAVE A RATING OR REVIEW, and be sure to hit that subscribe button so you do not miss an episode.