Destination Maui Inc.

12/11/2024

As we enter the season of joyful giving, we pause to thank and appreciate our valued communities and dedicated work ohana. Keeping in mind it is not the price of the gift this season, but the warmth and caring of sharing...togetherness, helping a stranger, a kind word. And cookies! Calories are waived in December!

11/26/2024

Condo owners and HOA boards may want to look into new green incentives to reduce energy cost.

A series of bills were created in 2024 largely aimed at providing modest financial relief to condominium communities and owners. Included is a way for condo owners to save some green through renewable energy. Background According to 2022 U.S. Census data, total condominium units in the state of Hawa...

11/11/2024

Thank a Veteran for their service today, and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

11/11/2024

FREE WEBINAR FOR HOAs
What’s Happening with Association Annual Meetings?
(and...What’s the Deal with Electronic Voting and Electronic Meetings?)
When: November 14, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. HST via Zoom Cost: Free (Registration required; see below) This is a special presentation to the public by Christopher Shea Goodwin, Esq., and Rachel Glanstein, PRP. The event is sponsored by the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians. Changes to Hawaii State Law opened the door for condominium and community associations to vote electronically and participate in electronic meetings. While these changes added flexibility, it is important to understand the timeline and procedures required for association meetings. The seminar is free to the public but limited to the first 300 attendees. Contact CAI for more info: [email protected]

11/11/2024

HOAs and Holiday Decorations

It’s the time of the year when people start to think about decorating their homes for the holiday season. Pay attention to your governing documents that may govern what, where, when, and for how long you can decorate your home. While chapter 514B, HRS, does not contain explicit language regarding this topic, many associations do have rules and requirements regarding holiday decorations. Board members should also review these rules, if any, to ensure that they do not engage in selective enforcement or violate the rules themselves. Boards may also want to preemptively remind owners what the holiday decor rules are. Associations, after a review of their documents, may wish to amend or repeal such rules if they are no longer relevant or wanted. The holiday season should be the time for goodwill and joy, not fines and governing documents violations.

10/26/2024

Take a break, breathe and remember all the reasons Maui is still no ka oi.

10/21/2024

FYI on the 3% Maui Lodging tax.

Hundreds of property owners have been notified recently that they owe back taxes. The county has struggled to collect the tax since it was imposed in 2021.

10/19/2024

Condominium Associations may benefit from two green infrastructure bills passed in this year's legislative session.
https://www.destinationmaui.net/hawai%ca%bbi-green-infrastructure-authority/

The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority serves as Hawaiʻi’s Green Bank. Green banks are entities that address market gaps to speed up the transition to clean energy and combat climate change. As of January 2023, there are 22 green banks across the U.S., with more in the pipeline. These banks ex...

10/16/2024

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Real Estate Division provides periodic advice to frequently asked questions.
QUESTION: I need a copy of my project's declaration, bylaws, house rules, and map. Can I ask my board for them?
ANSWER: As an owner, you are legally entitled to an accurate copy of the declaration, bylaws, house rules and master lease (if any) from the managing agent, resident manager, board, or association's representative pursuant to §514B-154.5(a)(2), HRS. Should you encounter difficulties in acquiring such documents from your board or its agents, please contact the Regulated Industries Complaints Office for assistance on this matter.
You can also order a copy of the most recently recorded map from the Bureau of Conveyances ("Bureau"). The Bureau is the recording agency for the State. While the Hawai'i Real Estate Commission ("Commission") does receive maps during the initial registration process from the developer, it neither maintains current maps nor receives any updates from associations when they, or owners, update the map. Also, the Commission maintains a ten-year document retention policy, after which documents are destroyed. The Commission strongly recommends consulting your board and the Bureau for the most up-to-date documents.
The Bureau also maintains a website to request copies of maps.
Document requests are not limited to the declaration, bylaws, and house rules. Owners may review and obtain copies of contracts,
financial statements, ledgers, and many, many other documents. These documents are listed in the Hawai'i condominium law under sections 514B-152 through 514B-154.5, HRS. Be aware that if an association chooses to comply with document requests by making the documents available for download through an internet site at the option of the unit owner, the association must do so at no cost to the owner or their authorized agent, pursuant to §514B-154.5(e), HRS.

10/15/2024

Hawaii has the least rise in "zombie foreclosures" than any other state. The zombies-— U.S. homes in the process of foreclosure that are sitting empty — rose from the second to the third quarter, except Hawaii, according to a report from Attom Data Solutions.

The report found that 7,961 homes, or 3.7% of the 215,886 U.S. homes that are in the process of foreclosure, are zombie foreclosures, an increase from 3% in the second quarter. Despite that, it’s still a tiny percentage of the 99.4 million homes in the U.S.

In Hawaii, just seven of 173 pre-foreclosure homes were vacant, but that amounts to 4.05%, which was a decrease from 5.24% in the second quarter and 5.38% in the third quarter of 2019. Hawaii has a total of 421,083 residential properties, according to Attom Data Solutions’ data.

Overall the percentage of homes in Hawaii that were vacant in the third quarter is virtually unchanged from a year ago, according to the report, which found 1.57 million residential properties, or 1.58% of all homes in the United States, are vacant. That was an increase from 1.5 million properties, or 1.52% in the second quarter, and 1.53 million, or 1.55%, during the third quarter of 2019.

The report notes that the federal government has been trying to protect the housing market during the Covid-19 epidemic with a temporary prohibition foreclosures of government-backed mortgages, which affects about 70% of homes in the U.S., but that is set to expire on Monday.

"Abandoned homes in foreclosure remain little more than a spot on the radar screen in most parts of the United States, posing few, if any, problems from neighborhood to neighborhood. But the latest numbers do throw a small potential red flag into the air, given the increase in the percentage of zombie foreclosures," Todd Teta, chief product officer at Attom Data Solutions, said in a statement.
Reported Janis L. Magin – Senior Editor, Pacific Business

10/08/2024

It's Fire Prevention Safety Week. Don't ignore important fire safety advice!

As part of Fire Prevention Week, Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety is reminding residents to install and regularly test smoke alarms as a precaution as undetected fires.

10/07/2024

An HOA budget is a financial roadmap designed to estimate both revenues and expenses for your association, following bylaws and state laws. Whether you are a new board member participating in the budget committee, or want to increase your knowledge as a community member, this guide outlines the steps to create and HOA budget.

If you are in a position where you are creating an HOA budget for the first time, as part of committee or board member role, or just want to learn more about the process, this article covers the principles of budgeting for an HOA, and a template to create a budget. Each HOA is different,

10/02/2024

New to condo living? Here is a quick primer on how condo home owner associations (HOAs( work. https://www.destinationmaui.net/how-condo-associations-work-and-the-rules-that-apply/

Living in Hawaii is a lot like living in other states, with people working, shopping, socializing, and paying association fees. Of course, there’s the added benefit of beautiful beaches and a laid-back vibe. In Hawaii, there are three main types of community associations: condominiums, planned com...

10/02/2024

When faced with a difficult problem, foresight can be an advantage. This research article from the University of Pennsylvania may give HOAs information about what to expect and how to address climate adaptation strategies, including managed retreat.

Energy policy research from the University of Pennsylvania

09/27/2024

It's official Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines. Here's a preview of what to expect.

Learn More about the Merger at https://bit.ly/alaska-hawaiian

09/26/2024

Community Associations Institute filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Treasury challenging the Corporate Transparency Act and its application to community associations. The Corporate Transparency Act is intended to provide law enforcement with beneficial ownership information for the purpose of detecting, preventing and punishing terrorism, money laundering and other misconduct through business entities.The law suit challenges the law on the grounds that community associations are exempt under Section 528 of the Internal Revenue Code and several constitutional grounds.
https://communityassociations.net/community-associations-institute-v-u-s-dept-of-treasury/

09/26/2024

UHERO: Maui recovery slower than predicted after fires.

Maui’s economy will only gradually recover from its post-wildfire downturn while visitor industries in other counties across the state will continue to operate at high levels, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s (UHERO) third quarter forecast for 2024.

09/16/2024

Cool heads prevail when issues erupt within an HOA Board.

As a volunteer for a homeowners' association (HOA), you may often encounter challenges that feel outside your area of expertise. These situations can sometimes stir up strong emotions, making it essential to find ways to stay calm and focused. Here are some practical tips on how to handle your emoti...