There is a particular kind of pride that comes not from a single achievement, but from watching an entire community rise together. This year, eight Island Sotheby's International Realty agents were independently recognized in the 2026 RealTrends Verified rankings, one of the real estate industry's most rigorous and respected performance benchmarks. Each ranking is earned through audited MLS transaction data, which means there is no self-nomination, no subjective panel, and no shortcut. You either did the work, or you didn't.

Our agents did the work.

What makes this recognition meaningful goes beyond the numbers. The agents recognized this year serve buyers and sellers across West Maui, Upcountry, and South Maui, working in markets as varied as the island itself, and sharing one thing in common: a genuine commitment to the people and places they serve.

Leading the group is Courtney M. Brown, whose nearly $69 million in verified closed sales volume reflects years of trust built in the West Maui luxury market. Courtney is joined by fellow West Maui agents Shaun Pederson and Heidi E. Dollinger, whose combined work in Lahaina and the surrounding resort communities speaks to the enduring demand and deep expertise that defines this stretch of coastline. Together, their presence in the rankings underscores just how much buyers and sellers across West Maui rely on Island Sotheby's International Realty when it matters most.

In South Maui, Ryan MacLaughlin closed $31 million in verified sales volume, serving buyers and sellers across the Kihei corridor with steady, knowledgeable guidance. Truman T. Taoka added $21.37 million across 17.2 transaction sides, a volume of activity that reflects an agent in constant, trusted motion across price points and property types in one of Hawaii's most resilient real estate markets.

Upcountry Maui tells its own story through Mino McLean, Renona Barrozo, and Debra Merle, three agents whose work reflects the singular character of the communities they serve. Based across Makawao, they collectively bring decades of experience to a market defined by ranchland estates, pastoral retreats, flower farms, and the unhurried rhythm of life above the clouds. Upcountry is not a market you can navigate from a distance. It rewards those who are genuinely rooted in it, and these three agents are exactly that.

Taken together, this group closed well over $150 million in verified sales volume, a figure that reflects the culture of a brokerage that attracts and supports agents who are serious about their craft. Island Sotheby's International Realty was also recognized as a RealTrends Verified Best Brokerage in 2026, with $354.82 million in total brokerage sales volume and 235 transaction sides at the national level. That recognition belongs to every corner of this team: agents, support staff, and most importantly, the clients who placed their trust in us and made every one of these transactions possible. To each of you, mahalo. Your confidence in our agents is not something we take lightly, and it is the foundation everything else is built on.

We are proud of each of these agents, and deeply grateful to the communities that make this work possible. Maui is far more than a place we do business. It is home, and we take seriously the privilege of helping people find their place within it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RealTrends Verified? RealTrends Verified is one of the most respected independent ranking programs in the American real estate industry. It evaluates agent and brokerage performance based on audited MLS transaction data, meaning every ranking is confirmed through third-party verification rather than self-reported figures. Only agents who meet a minimum production threshold and submit verifiable transaction records are eligible for inclusion.

How are RealTrends Verified rankings determined? Rankings are calculated using closed sales volume and transaction sides from a defined performance period. Agents submit their MLS data, which is then independently audited before any ranking is assigned. The process is designed to ensure that every agent listed has genuinely earned their place based on documented production.

What does it mean for a brokerage to earn RealTrends Verified Best Brokerage recognition? A RealTrends Verified Best Brokerage designation is awarded to brokerages that meet verified volume and transaction thresholds at the national level. It reflects the collective production of the brokerage's agent team and is considered one of the most credible indicators of a brokerage's overall market performance and professional depth.