• Credit: Henry Roy

Nine Brains is a hospitality-focused investment firm dedicated to elevating hotel, resort, and private club real estate.

Our investment strategy is driven by the principle of Authenticity of Place. We focus on opportunities where location plays a central role in the user experience and competitive differentiation. We avoid generic, commodity-style assets and seek projects that offer a unique connection to their environment, enhancing both the physical and emotional experience of the space.

Inspired by its namesake — the octopus, with nine brains but one purpose — Nine Brains embodies the belief that collaboration between many minds leads to outcomes greater than the sum of their parts.

INVESTMENT FOCUS

We invest in real estate with high barriers to entry and authentic local identity. Our expertise in brand creation, management, and execution enables us to unlock long-term value and create a competitive advantage in each opportunity.

Our primary geographic focus is Hawai‘i, where deep-rooted relationships and community sensitivity give us a unique edge in the market. We also pursue select investments on the West Coast, targeting high-value opportunities where we can apply our approach and drive similarly transformative results.

ADVISORY

Nine Brains offers comprehensive project advisory services, guiding clients through every stage of developing exceptional properties and experiences. We focus on place-based residential communities, membership clubs, and distinct, experience-driven projects that embody an authentic connection to their location.

Past engagements include high-profile projects and companies backed by globally recognized investors and operators such as such as the Kelly Slater Wave Co., Surf Ranch, the Brando Resort Tahiti, Mahi Pono, and Kukuiʻula.

CREATIVE AGENCY

At Nine Brains, creativity isn’t outsourced — it’s part of our DNA. Our in-house creative agency, Asunto:Studio, gives us a unique edge by blending art direction, branding, design, content production, and strategy into every project. With teams in Berlin, Los Angeles, and Medellín, Asunto:Studio draws from global perspectives to develop human-focused brands that thrive at the intersection of business and culture.

TEAM

James Evans
Managing Partner
Thibert Lussiaa
Partner
Sam Ainslie
Partner

ADVISORS

Camilo Echeverri
Creative Director

PROJECTS

PROJECTS

PACIFIC 19 Kona

A 150-room hotel on Hawai‘i Island reimagined as a basecamp for the modern explorer. Nine Brains acquired and repositioned the property, leading all aspects of redevelopment, branding, and launch before its opening in 2023. Designed to help guests discover the island’s diverse landscapes and experiences, the hotel offers a stylish, adventure-ready home base on the Kona coast. Pacific 19 has been recognized for its distinct hospitality ethos and strong performance, serving as the flagship for the Pacific 19 brand. Go to Pacific 19

PAST EXPERIENCE

Prior to founding Nine Brains, our partners held leadership roles in the development and operation of some of Hawai‘i’s most iconic and complex real estate projects. Their collective experience spans luxury resorts, private clubs, and hospitality ventures, including Hualalai Resort, Kona Village Resort, Kohanaiki, Kukio Golf & Beach Club, Nanea Golf Club, and North Shore Preserve. They’ve also contributed to national platforms such as Kennedy Wilson and Discovery Land Company, and helped shape innovative projects like Surf Ranch and Kelly Slater Wave Co. This background informs Nine Brains’ approach to creating operationally excellent, experience-driven real estate.

Get in Touch With Us
© Nine Brains 2025

James Evans, Managing Partner

James Evans is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nine Brains. James leads firm-wide strategy, oversees all major investments, and drives the development of the company’s brand and platform.

He brings a deep background in real estate investment, development, and operations, with experience spanning hospitality, luxury residential, retail, and mixed-use assets. James co-sponsored and led the execution of Pacific 19 Hotels, overseeing the acquisition, renovation, and brand creation for the firm’s flagship property in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i.

Prior to founding Nine Brains, James was Vice President at Kennedy Wilson (NYSE: KW), where he managed the firm’s $750 million U.S. retail portfolio and served as asset manager for marquee resort assets including the Kona Village Resort and the private member’s club Kohanaiki. Earlier in his tenure, he led investment analytics for the firm’s fund management division. He was recognized during this time as one of Real Estate Forum Magazine’s “40 Under 40” rising stars in real estate.

He has also served in several executive advisory roles. Most notably, James was a strategic advisor to the Kelly Slater Wave Co., where he helped shape the company’s multi-property operating platform as it prepared to expand beyond its original Surf Ranch facility. His work included advising on brand development, operational structure, and development planning. He also served as Executive Advisor to CCA Acquisition Company, a national real estate investment platform, where he supported acquisitions and portfolio strategy.

Earlier in his career, James led investments and operations at the Charlee Hotel group, a boutique hospitality brand based in Colombia, recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top new hotels in the world.

He began his career as an acquisitions analyst at ColRich, focusing on multifamily investment. James holds a B.A. in Urban Planning from the University of California, San Diego, graduating with honors.

Thibert Lussiaa, Partner

Thibert Lussiaa is a Co-Founder and Partner at Nine Brains. He focuses on the Hawai‘i market, providing overall market strategy with an emphasis on identifying value-add and special-situation opportunities. Thibert co-sponsored the Pacific 19 Kona investment, and plays a key role in cultivating strong relationships with investors and strategic partners, fostering long-term growth and success for Nine Brains’ projects.

Thibert began his career at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, where he developed a strong foundation in high-standard hospitality operations and services. He later joined Discovery Land Company as a founding member of the Kukio Golf & Beach Club team, contributing to the creation and management of member experience operations. Later Thibert led DLC's member experiences opening-team for new properties, which helped craft member services programs and train teams across multiple projects for DLC’s global portfolio.

Beyond his professional career, Thibert is a former world champion paddler who continues to be deeply involved in the paddling community. Together with his wife, Rebekah, he runs the WeGo Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through sports. Through mentorship, funding, and access to higher-level competition, WeGo helps talented young athletes build brighter futures while positively impacting their communities.

Sam Ainslie, Partner

Sam Ainslie is a Partner at Nine Brains, focusing on developing place-based real estate projects and leads our advisory team. With over four decades of leadership experience, Sam has helped create and manage some of Hawai‘i’s - and the world’s - most renowned high-end properties, consistently delivering innovative concepts, long-term value creation, and sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Nine Brains, Sam served as President and CEO of North Shore Preserve on Kauai, a Discovery Land Company private club community. In this role, he led the project’s initial planning and development, launching a Founder Member program that generated over $140 million in early sales.

Sam’s had a distinguished career with Discovery Land Company, highlighted by his tenure as President and CEO of Kukio Golf and Beach Club. During his 12 years leading Kukio, Sam directed its planning, operations, and sales, helping it become one of the most successful private club communities in the world. Today Kukio serves as one of DLC’s flagship projects that has driven its model of development for all subsequent properties.

Following his time at Kukio, Sam served as President and CEO of Kelly Slater Wave Company, where he established the company’s operational framework and oversaw the development, opening, and management of the Surf Ranch—its flagship prototype facility.

Sam also led the development of Nanea Golf Club, a private golf club, on behalf of founders George Roberts and Charles Schwab. He directed all aspects of the project, from site acquisition and planning to construction and operations, successfully launching Nanea’s founding member program.

Earlier in his career, Sam was a Senior Vice President at Hualalai Resort, where he was a member of the initial executive development team. There, he played a key role in the planning, construction, opening, and operation of what would become the most financially successful residential resort communities and Four Seasons properties worldwide.

In addition to his executive roles, Sam has advised on a range of high-profile projects, including The Brando Resort in Tahiti and Mahi Pono’s agricultural initiatives. Sam holds a B.A. from the University of California, Irvine, and resides on the Big Island with his family, where he continues to be active in the local community.

Camilo Echeverri, Creative Director

Camilo Echeverri is a Creative Director and Principal at Asunto:Studio, the in-house creative agency for Nine Brains. With over two decades of experience in architecture, fashion, photography, and visual arts, Camilo leads the creative direction for Nine Brains, developing compelling brand identities and visual narratives that align with strategic objectives.

Camilo has led work with notable brands such as Maaji, Levi's, Chevignon, Leonisa, LauraLaurens, and Tigre de Salón, bringing his expertise in storytelling to both commercial and artistic realms.

Camilo specializes in bridging the worlds of art and design, focusing on creating environments and brand stories that resonate across industries. His work combines creativity with strategic vision, ensuring each project reflects both aesthetic and commercial value. Through Asunto:Studio, Camilo oversees the development of visual concepts that support Nine Brains’ branding, marketing materials, and overall project design.

Originally from Medellín, Colombia, and based in Berlin, Camilo holds a degree in Architecture from the Pontificia Universidad Bolivariana, a specialization in geopolitics from Universidad EAFIT, and a Master’s in Fashion Photography and Arts from the University of the Arts London. His recent work, including the project "El Mato," explores themes of conservation and memory, with a particular focus on the impact of climate change. His exhibitions engage audiences on both an emotional and intellectual level, creating a powerful connection to place and identity.