Securitas Back at Lanikea

Recently, Securitas was rehired to provide security services at Lanikea. There is a noticeable improvement of the quality of service provided by the new security guards. They are courteous and professional. Little things do make a difference, like for instance: greeting the residents and opening the door for entering or exiting parties. Lanikea Security's new phone number is: 808-330-0212.

Resignation of Lanikea's Treasurer

I regret to inform you that I have resigned as Lanikea Treasurer, effective immediately. I will remain on Lanikea's Board of Directors till further notice. For those of you who would like obtain a summary of the Treasurer Report that I gave at the last July 13th Board meeting, please send me an email (rdudek@sbcglobal.net ) and I will email you a copy.
It was a privilege to serve you as a Treasurer. Mahalo.

Omedetou team Japan!

Congratulations team Japan on winning World Cup, OMEDETOU!

Changes on Lanikea's Board of Directors

At the July 13th Board of Directors meeting, Mr. Abraham Aborida was appointed as an interim Director. Mr. Ali Mandani, who was serving as a Lanikea's Director, was appointed as the Secretary. Here is a list of current Lanikea Officers and Directors:

Ms. Claudia McCloskey, President
Ms. Barbara Beerling, Vice President
Mr. Ali Mandani, Secretary
Mr. Robert W. Dudek, Treasurer
Dr. Jon Jancaterino, Director
Mr. Marcos A. Hatada, Director
Mr. Abraham Aborida, Director

Important: Lanikea Building Sub-Committee Meeting and Walk-thru

Lanikea Building Sub-Committee was established by the Board of Directors' (BOD) resolution in January, 2011. Shortly thereafter, as a then-Chair of the Sub-Committee, I presided over an initial meeting and we conducted project walk-thru with Lanikea Owners and a few BOD members.

Based on our preliminary findings, a Report with multiple pictures and recommendations was prepared and distributed to all BOD members, Property Manager, Lanikea GM, and interested Lanikea Owners (if you'd like to receive a PDF copy, please contact me via email at: rdudek@sbcglobal.net).

Currently, Ms. Barbara Beerling, Lanikea AOAO Vice President, is the Chair of the Building Sub-Committee, and she has just announced a follow up meeting and project walk-thru to be held at Lanikea's Lobby on Tuesday, July 12th, at 3:00PM HST. Lanikea is facing some very important builidng and construction-related issues and all Owners are both encouraged and welcomed to participate in the meeting and the walk-thru. Please spread the word and tell your Lanikea neighbors. Mahalo!

Happy Fourth Everybody and God Bless America!

Who is reading Lanikea Blog (in Ukraine)?

A funny thing happened... I was checking some stats of this blog and noticed that it was getting over a thousand hits but has only three (3) "official" registered followers (you can get blog updates automatically by registering as a "follower" or access it manually anytime you want). I got curious... and went to blog's analytics, which identified the following countries from which people were accessing and reading this blog: United States (duh), Canada, China, U.K., Russia, India, Germany, Malaysia, Belgium, New Zealand, and Ukraine (!?). I wonder, who in the world is reading Lanikea community blog in the Ukraine? In any event, I say: diakuju!

Lanikea's Next Board Meeting

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 6:00 PM HST and it will be held in Lanikea's lobby. Several important issues will be discussed, including our upcoming Budget proposal and building issues. Lanikea Owners' participation is encouraged and welcomed. Hope to see you there.

Lanikea at Waikiki on Facebook

Check out Lanikea at Waikiki community page on Facebook. You can see it by clicking on this link: Lanikea at Waikiki. To receive automatic updates, simply click on the "Like" button.

Old habits die hard... When is the next Board Meeting at Lanikea?

Lanikea has never been known for great communication between the Board of Directors and the Owners. One of the issues which has always bothered me is that the Board meetings are seldom announced in advance to the Owners.

Typically, at Lanikea Board meeting notices are posted by the elevators only three (3) days before the meeting, which is the minimum required by Lanikea Bylaws. Frankly, I find it quite ridiculous, especially since Lanikea has a large percentage of out-of-site Owners, who would appreciate more advanced notice.

I have brought this issue up to the Board and management's attention several times, including at the beginning of this year, which coincidented with my appointment to the Board. An advanced meeting schedule was announced and posted on Lanikea's Bulletin Board and I put it in this Blog.

But since then, additional meetings were scheduled without the advance notice to the Owners. Back to business as usual...

I've heard complaints from the Board members that few Owners participate in the Board meetings. Perhaps if the meetings were publicized in advance, there would be a better participation. It's common sense folks...

BTW: the next Board Meeting is on June 15th, have you heard anything?

Today Our Japanese Friends Need Our Help...

By now we all know about the tremendous devastation and suffering caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan... I have a very special place in my heart for Japan and the Japanese people.

I have visited this beautiful country on several occasions and also have relatives, friends, and clients either living in Japan or being of Japanese descent. Japanese people and their government are well known for their generosity and humanitarian efforts. There has not been a major disaster in recent years for which Japan has not offered a significant aid.

Today, our Japanese friends need our help...

Please join us in helping the victims of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. Any amount counts and helps... We are conducting Japan Relief Campaign through our non-profit: The Rainbow of Hope Freedom Foundation, which a project of United Charitable Programs, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your donations will be matched thru The Rainbow of Hope Freedom Foundation up to $1,000.00 . To securely donate online click on: Japan Relief Campaign . Again, any amount helps... Thank you very much in advance for your generous support. Mahalo!

Truly amazing musical performance, enjoy!

More resignations from Lanikea Board of Directors...

Mr. George McCarthy who was serving as a Lanikea AOAO Interim President, has resigned from the Board of Directors. Ms. Claudia McCloskey, who used to be the Lanikea AOAO President in the past, was appointed by the Board as Interim President. Ms. Chintana Griffin who served as Secretary has resigned and her position hasn't been filled. Here is a list current Lanikea Directors and Officers:

Ms. Claudia McCloskey, President
Ms. Barbara Beerling, Vice President
Vacancy, Secretary
Mr. Robert W. Dudek, Treasurer
Mr. Marcos A. Hatada, Director
Mr. Ali Mandani, Director
Dr. Jon Jancaterino, Director

Happy Passover and Happy Easter!

Wishing you a Happy Passover and Happy Easter!

Security issues at Lanikea

Recently, one of the Lanikea Owners' apartment door had been vandalized. Lanikea has an on-site security personnel and surveillance cameras, however, all Owners and Residents should be vigilant. If you see any suspicious or unusual activity on Lanikea premises, please report it immediately to Lanikea Security at 808-782-9895. In case of emergency call 911.

Mahalo for your Kokua!

Passing on the Torch... New Chairperson for Lanikea Building Sub-Committee

During the last Lanikea Board of Directors meeting on April 13th, I have submitted to the Board my Top Five Recommendations of the most important major building issues and problems that need to be addressed at Lanikea. During the same meeting Lanikea's AOAO Vice President Ms. Barbara Beerling took over the chairmanship of the Building Sub-Committee as I'm in need of more time resources to concentrate on my Treasurer's duties. Ms. Beerling is a very astute businesswoman with many years of experience in various aspects of commercial and residential real estate.

If you are a Lanikea Owner of record and would like to receive a free copy of the Building Sub-Committee's Report dated January 31, 2011, and/or Condo Owners Rights and Responsibilities Booklet published by State of Hawaii, please shoot me an email at rdudek@sbcglobal.net with your full name, Lanikea unit# and an email address.

Mahalo for allowing me the opportunity to participate in making Lanikea the best condo project in Waikiki.

Glady in the Guinness Book of World Records

It is official... on April 6, 2011 Gladys Burrill (AKA: Glady, Gladiator, Glady-ator) was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person who ever finished a Marathon http://www.kitv.com/video/27420401/detail.html. Although they will never admit it, our Lanikea neighbors Ann and George McCarthy were instrumental in helping Glady realize her Marathon dream.

Ann is Glady's hairdresser and she put Glady and her husband George together as walking partners. George started walking with Glady and the two became not only trusted walking partners but also good friends. They walked and talked... talked and walked... and the rest is history... Congratulations Glady, Ann and George!

P.S. Ann, "The Instigator," is in the background of the enclosed picture ;-)

Lanikea Board Meetings Back at Lanikea's Lobby

All upcoming Lanikea Association of Apartment Owners (AOAO) Board of Directors meetings will be held again at Lanikea's Lobby (yeah!). This change includes the next meeting on Wednesday, April 13th, at 6:00 P.M. All Lanikea Owners are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

P.S. I hope to see you and meet many other fellow Lanikea Owners at the meeting. My much anticipated Treasurer's Report is coming... I promise, as a Lanikea Owner, you will learn new and important things about Lanikea... So see you then.

Aloha nui loa!

A perfect day at Waikiki Aquarium

Have you been to Waikiki Aquarium yet? It is located at the end of the Kapiolani Park (2777 Kalakaua Ave.), a comfortable 1.25 mile walk from Lanikea. I've been walking by it for years, so finally I decided to drop by...

Wow! what a great place to relax and see some really beautiful sea life. The Aquarium estimates that they have over 2,500 marine creatures from Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offer Kama'aina discount. Here is a short video I shot during our visit (turn on your speakers):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1oIOy2_lIo&feature=player_embedded#at=67

Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

The tragedy in Japan has affected many of our Lanikea neighbors who are either from Japan and/or have relatives and friends living in Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the people of Japan. God Bless.