Ed started his real estate career in the timeshare industry in 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1980 he went to Acapulco, Mexico, and immersed himself in resort development. In 1983, Ed joined a group of entrepreneurs in Palm Springs, California, to form the Royal International Partners -- developers of the successful World International Vacation Club, which is still in operation today. In 1987, Ed returned to Honolulu where he owned and operated Leao & Company, a full-service real estate brokerage specializing in commercial condominiums downtown Honolulu. A native of Brazil, Ed speaks fluent Portuguese (Brazilian), English, and Spanish.