Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Sometimes, not knowing where you are going can actually lead you down the right path. Ikaika “Daniel” Keliikoa was unsure what path he wanted to pursue after graduating high school, but felt a pull to join the military. He felt called to do something for his country and decided military service was one way to answer that calling.
Keliikoa enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2000. While serving, his primary job was artillery, with a secondary job in infantry. Keliikoa enjoyed the camaraderie he experienced with fellow service members, the opportunity to travel the world and the job itself.
“I got to travel around the world while serving,” he says. “And I love the job.”
After COVID-19, Keliikoa began to look for a career, ultimately given an opportunity to work for Hardware Hawaii, stepping foot into the independent home improvement channel.
Today, Keliikoa works as a lumber supervisor at the company.
“I supervise all the guys in the lumberyard and help customers, alongside with giving some advice about materials,” Keliikoa says.
As a leader at Hardware Hawaii, Keliikoa says it’s important to him that he leads with integrity and excellence. He says the military helped enable him to be someone his team could rely on.
“Leadership is a big role I have working here,” he says. “The military helped me to be a better leader.”
Keliikoa believes the loyal and hardworking nature of veterans equips them well for the home improvement channel.
“Military guys are loyal and respectful,” he says. “They come from hardworking backgrounds, and they know how it feels starting from the bottom and working your way up the ranks.”
