Meet our founder, Sal Miwa

With more than 40 years of hands-on business ownership and management experience, Sal brings an owner's perspective to every transaction. Having operated businesses across multiple industries and built extensive relationships between Hawaii, Japan and the mainland United States, Miwa Associates is uniquely positioned to help Hawaii business owners maximize the value of their companies and connect with qualified buyers.

Born and raised in Japan, Sal grew up with a dream of becoming a pilot. After graduating from high school, he moved to the United States—a global center for aviation—to pursue that ambition. He began his training at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he earned both his private pilot license and a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1979. He later obtained a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from MIT in 1981.

Following graduation, he spent several months in Tokyo before relocating to the New York metropolitan area in 1982. Over the course of his career, he has held a broad range of entrepreneurial and leadership positions across diverse industries, including several ventures undertaken through his involvement with an investment company. His management and business experience spans electronic equipment distribution; optoelectronics and vision systems for semiconductor manufacturing; bluefin tuna fishing and export; import and export; plastic injection mold manufacturing; cattle ranching joint ventures; real estate investment; online services; composite decking manufacturing; wood kiln manufacturing; chemical production; and aviation manufacturing and services, including private jet charter and air ambulance operations. He has also served on the boards of numerous private, public, and nonprofit organizations.

In late 2011, Sal moved to Hawaii, where he played a key role in turning around a real estate company while becoming actively engaged in community and civic efforts. He went on to serve as Chair of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii(JASH) for three years and as Chair of the Pacific Air Forces Civilian Advisory Council(AFCAC) for five years. In 2025, he was nominated by the Commander of Pacific Air Forces and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force as a member of the Air & Space Forces Civic Leader Program, a prestigious Department of the Air Force initiative that brings together influential civilian leaders to advise Air Force and Space Force leadership.

He has co-chaired the Gannenmono Celebration, the 150th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Hawaii in 2018, and the Hawaii–Japan Sister State & Sister City Summits in 2023 and again in 2026. He also helped organize a 1,200-attendee event for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to meet President Obama in 2016.

With his extensive experience and network, Sal enjoys helping others succeed in business in any way he can.

Sal is currently serving as:

Chair (2021~)- Pacific Air Forces Civilan Advisory Council (AFCAC)
Director (2013~, Chair 2016~2018) - Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH)
Member (2025~)- Air and Space Forces Civic Leader Program under the Department of the Air Force
Director (2018~) - Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii (Holds Annual International Ukulele Festival)