Kelly spear-headed the first real estate office on Kauai's west side with the opening of Makai Properties in Waimea. She moved to Kauai with her husband Mike and son Cody in 1993. "We wanted an enriching place to raise our son and we felt that Kauai was that place". Kelly was the 2010 President of the Kauai Board of REALTORS®, Secretary of the Kauai Veteran's Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation, the 2009-2010 President of the Rotary Club of West Kauai,  and co-owner of Makai Properties. "Living on a tropical island is a daily adventure, rich with remote beaches, dramatic hiking trails and water sport. It might not be for everyone but I wouldn't trade it for the world".