Thoughts and Prayers...

All victims and their families of Boston Marathon explosions are in our thoughts and prayers.

Happy Easter! Hau oli Pakoa!

Happy Easter! Hau oli Pakoa!

Honolulu Festival 2013

Honolulu Festival is one of the most spectacular and successful annual events in Honolulu. This year's "Honolulu Daijayama" from the city of Omuta in Fukuoka, Japan was fantastic. They excited a crowd of mesmerised spectators. The fireworks from Niigata Prefecture in Japan were simply stunning.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A great human being, thinker, and a true servant leader... thank you Dr. King!

Artist Heather Brown at Wyland Gallery in Waikiki

Congrats Heather Brown on an awesome show tonight! Heather is shown signing one of her paintings at Wyland Gallery in Waikiki last night. Heather and her art are immensely popular not only in the U.S., but also internationally, especially in Japan. Check out her website: http://www.heatherbrownart.com/

Mele Kalikimaka!

Aloha,
Wishing you and your loved ones Mele Kalikimaka and awesome Hau'oli Makahiki Hou 2013!

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting and their families. God Bless.

New Security Service at Lanikea

Sky Security is the new service handling security at Lanikea. My initial impression of their service is quite positive. The guards wear nice island gear and exude Aloha attitude. They open the door and greet visitors and residents in a professional and courteous manner. Kudos to Lee McCluskey Lanikea's GM for maintaining professional standards at Lanikea.

Wyland's Show in Waikiki

Wyland finishing and signing his original painting during his live show at his Waikiki Gallery on December 1st. It is always lots of fun to watch Wyland paint. What I didn't know was that he also composes and produces awesome music.

Wyland Live Show at his Gallery in Waikiki

Looking forward to hanging out with Wyland, Jean Riehl and other friends during Wyland's live show at his Gallery in Waikiki (Beachwalk) this coming Saturday, Dec. 1st, 6PM to 10PM - come on over!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Happy Veterans Day!

To all of our awesome Veterans: Mahalo and Happy Veterans Day!

Tsunami Warning...

Recently Hawaii dodged another tsunami warning.... Is Goddess Pele watching over the islands?

Thoughts and Prayers

To all of those affected by mega-storm Sandy: you are in our thoughts and prayers.

New Faces at Lanikea?

Seeing new faces at Lanikea? A big wave of visitors returns to Hawaii. According to Hawaii Tourism Authority, 2012 is going to be a record year in terms of number of visitors to the islands, which they estimate to be close to 8 million.

Lanikea Association is Sued.... Again

Lanikea Association of Apartment Owners (AOAO) has been sued. AOAO has been named as a co-defendant in a construction defects lawsuit filed by one or more of Lanikea Owners (Nakagawa et al vs. A&B et al). 

Recently all Owners received documents pertaining to the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Association, including the election of Directors, but there was no mention of the lawsuit. Neither the Board of Directors, nor the Property Management, nor Lanikea's Legal Counsel has informed Lanikea Owners about the lawsuit, which is outrageous given the seriousness of the matter and its implications.

Lawsuits against condo associations are material facts affecting all Owners. Besides of legal costs of the litigation, condominium projects with litigation have limited availability of mortgage financing as lenders do not want to lend on condo units in projects with pending lawsuit(s). This has an immediate detrimental effect on property values and marketability of all condo units in such project.

Why is Lanikea Building Inspection Report Kept Secret?

After many years of delays, finally last year Lanikea Board of Directors acted on behalf of the Association of Apartment Owners, and hired, and subsequently paid from Association's funds, Pacific Property Consultants to inspect Lanikea in order to assess the quality of the construction and uncover any potential construction defects and/or deficiencies.

A building survey was sent to Lanikea Owners and physical inspection was conducted at the beginning of the year. The inspection report was prepared and submitted to the Board of Directors in March. In spite of assurances from the President of the Board and various Board members, the report has not been released to all Lanikea Owners.

Why the secrecy? Aren't all Lanikea Owners entitled to know the truth and facts about potential construction defects and/or deficiencies affecting their properties, their equity, and ultimately their pocketbooks?

Lanikea's Association Dues Increased by 5.5%

Lanikea's association dues continue to climb. Just recently Lanikea Board of Directors announced yet another increase of the monthly dues, this time by a total of 5.5% (6% maintenance and 3% reserves). That is over 300% of cumulative increases of dues since the project was completed in 2005.

While serving on the Board as Treasurer in 2011, I made several cost saving recommendations, that were articulated in my Treasurer's Report (available to any Lanikea owner, please contact me if you'd like to receive a copy). Most of these recommendations were neither approved by the Board, nor implemented by the property management. 

Unreasonably high condominium association dues, without corresponding increase of project quality and/or  amenities, decrease the desirability and value of the property. Right now Lanikea's dues for a standard 2br / 2ba unit are almost $1,000.00 /mo. ($940.65), which is the same as a payment on $209,478 mortgage (30yr fixed loan @ 3.5%).

God Bless America and Those Who Protect Her, Happy 4th Everybody!

Lanikea's Association Dues - what a rip off!

Recently I was comparing the amenities and homeowners association dues between a couple of luxury condo properties we own, one in HI and one in AZ. The property in Hawaii (Lanikea) has the following amenities: (1) pool, (2) Jacuzzi, and (3) the BBQ area. The property in Arizona (Parkside - pic below) has: (1) pool, (2) Jacuzzi, (3) the BBQ area, (4) volleyball courts, (5) million-dollar clubhouse, (6) private movie theater, and  (7) gym. Here are the Association dues: Lanikea $891.59, Parkside $195.00. Wow!