An attorney for the Leilani Estates Community Association says the lava-ravaged subdivision will take Hawaii County to federal court over its response to the Kilauea eruption. Residents and board members have complained that they don’t have a seat at the table with county administrators and are concerned that they may be left to deal with […]
Maalaea condo groups working on wastewater alternatives (HI)
The Maalaea Village Association has begun facilitating discussions among area residents, businesses and governmental entities about the feasibility of a regional wastewater treatment plant to serve the Maalaea community. Read the article………………
Why Hundreds Of Mililani Residents Must Pay Thousands Of Dollars To Save A Few Homes (HI)
About eight homes in the Launani Valley community are threatened, but owners of more than 800 homes will have to cough up $3.2 million to save them. Read the article………………
Live in a condo? Here’s what you should do before severe weather hits
The higher you live in a condominium, the stronger the wind will be during a storm. So if your condo has a balcony, patio or lanai, clear it of loose items. “Things that are being dislodged at height from a building will become wind borne debris missiles that can strike other portions of your building […]
Evacuated Leilani Estates residents cleared to return home (HI)
More than two months after flowing lava and volcanic gas prompted county officials to evacuate Leilani Estates in Puna, residents of the subdivision will be able to return to their homes today. In addition, MacKenzie State Recreation Area and Malama Ki Forest Reserve, which have been closed since the advent of Kilauea’s most recent eruption […]
Pet goats in Makakilo are irking the neighbors — and raising questions about allowable pets (HI)
Makakilo resident Lyndon Williams says his neighbor’s pet goats have been causing trouble all around their subdivision. He says they escape out of their pen, which was built against the owner’s back wall several houses down, and run into the street and people’s yards. He’s even caught them in his garage, rummaging through his things. […]
Lawsuit filed in condo association theft case (HI)
A Hilo condominium owners’ association is suing a former vice chairman of the state Real Estate Commission and his wife for allegedly embezzling about $120,000 in funds. The civil lawsuit was filed Monday in Hilo Circuit Court by Hilo attorney Steven Strauss on behalf of Kawili Regency Association of Unit Owners. The defendants are Scott […]
Judge’s ruling allows shoreline project to go on (HI)
A 2nd Circuit judge denied a motion by shoreline protection groups to immediately halt the Hololani condominium association’s plans to drive vertical sheets into the ground, beginning as early as today, in a shoreline protection project in Kahana. Read the article………………
We Must Work Together To Make Honolulu Safer After Fatal Condo Fire (HI)
The fatal fire at the Marco Polo Condominium drew international attention to the longstanding issue of how best to protect Honolulu residents living in high-rises without fire sprinklers. There are 358 residential high-rise condominium properties, as well as hundreds of other residential structures over 75 feet tall that do not have fire sprinkler systems, according […]
Help For Condo Owners Comes In Small Doses, If It Comes At All (HI)
Hawaii lawmakers are still considering several bills designed to make life easier for condominium owners and stem complaints about the boards that oversee their buildings, but some owners say the legislation doesn’t go far enough. House and Senate negotiators plan to meet Monday afternoon to discuss new drafts of measures that mostly clarify existing law. […]
Why Condo Associations Are Sweating After A Judge’s Ruling (HI)
It’s probably going to take years to unravel the legal and financial uncertainty now facing condominium associations and law firms that used nonjudicial foreclosures — private sales without supervision by courts — to collect unpaid maintenance fees or other assessments prior to 2012. That’s the best guess after the recent ruling by a federal judge […]
Condo owner says she’s forced to sell after property taxes soar
Okazaki is one of hundreds of apartment owners whose properties have been reclassified from residential to resort, which carries a much higher rate. Last year, the city asked owners of units in mixed-use buildings like Executive Centre to answer a questionnaire about how their apartments were being used. Read the article…………….
Jon McKenna out as head of Associa Hawaii
Jon McKenna, who since 2012 led Associa Hawaii, one of the largest property management companies in the state, is no longer with the firm, a spokesman for the company’s Texas-based parent confirmed to Pacific Business News. McKenna, whose title was branch president of Associa Hawaii, left the company on Monday, Billy Rudolph, spokesman for Associa, […]
Explosion at condo on Oahu under investigation
An explosion at the Holiday Terrace is under investigation. The Honolulu Fire Department was called to the condo at about 8:20pm Wednesday, July 27th on a report of a building fire. Upon arrival they discovered it was actually a small explosion that had already been extinguished. One person was injured but refused treatment according to […]
Can a Woodworking Shop Operate Legally from a Condo?
Q: I am a resident of a large residential condominium complex in Central Maui. There is a gentleman who is running a commercial woodworking shop out of his condo and backyard. His equipment includes a sanding machine, table saw, electric planer and skill saw. Read the Q&A………….
Developer gets waiver for Honolulu condo on Kakaako glass rule, HCDA rules
The Hawaii Community Development Authority has given the developer of a Kakaako condominium a waiver regarding a glass rule issue. Read the article………….
Developer to install Hawaii’s first energy combo system at condo tower
A Honolulu condominium will become the first of its kind in Hawaii to install an energy system that combines solar and battery storage resources through a power purchase agreement between a Wisconsin firm and the condo unit owners. Read the article………..
Hawaii agency delays decision on high-rise ‘glass rule’ for OliverMcMillan’s Symphony Honolulu condo tower
The Hawaii Community Development Authority on Wednesday delayed until next week making a decision on a “glass rule” for Kakaako high-rise projects regarding an issue with OliverMcMillan’s Symphony Honolulu mixed-use condominium tower. Read the article…………
State Adds New Services to Assist Condo Owners (HI)
The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Real Estate Commission will launch two new services to help Hawai?i condominium owners. The Real Estate Commission created a new email subscription list for unit owners and the general public to provide greater access to and wider distribution of educational materials. REC plans to email materials, including […]
Kalama Terrace (HI) doing its part to combat climate change
After two years of planning, Kalama Terrace, a forward-thinking condominium and vacation rental complex in Kihei, Maui, has flipped the switch on a newly installed 147 Kilowatt solar array. The solar array, consisting of 578 solar panels, is expected to produce 263 megawatts of clean energy every year – enough to offset almost 100% of […]
Hawaii judge halts work on second tower at former Honolulu Advertiser site
A Hawaii judge has halted construction of the second affordable condominium tower on the site of the former Honolulu Advertiser building after finding the Hawaii Community Development Authority did not follow state historic preservation laws Read more……..
Judge denies injunction, restraining order for community association lawsuit (HI)
A judge denied Mauna Kea Resort Services’ request for an injunction Wednesday, ordering that organization to enter mediation with another community association. The Uplands at Mauna Kea Association filed suit last month against Mauna Kea Resort Services, an umbrella organization for several other resort homeowners associations, alleging the company had fraudulently withheld millions in common […]
Proposed law to make it easier for Hawaii condo boards to fire management companies
A bill pending in the Hawaii Legislature would make it easier for condominium boards in the Islands to fire their buildings’ managing agents. As it stands now, many condo boards require up to 80 percent of owners to consent to discharging the condo’s management company. Read more…….