BY JIM DOOLEY – An audit of the state-owned Honokowai Kauhale affordable housing project on Maui found residents living in “substandard conditions” and “an atmosphere of intimidation and fear,” according to state records released today.
The audit was commissioned as a result of a series of Hawaii Reporter news stories about problems at the West Maui project, and verified the contents of those stories, the records show.
Among the findings of the audit:
- “The overall physical condition of the project is clearly substandard.”
- “Current Resident Manager has created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear of reprisals, as reported by tenants.”
- Apparent discrimination against families with children through enforcement of “unwritten rules.”
- Failure to actively market the availability of 40 vacant units ready for occupancy.
- Inconsistent enforcement of house rules.
- Favoritism in “steering” of selected tenants to certain vacant units.
The audit findings (which have been redacted by the state to remove the names of individuals) are here Audit Part One and here Audit Part Two.
Based on the findings of the audit, the Housing Finance and Development Corp., the state agency that owns the project, notified property manager Realty Laua LLC on Sept. 28 of its intent to cancel the management contract if deficiencies weren’t addressed within 10 days. (See the Sept. 28 Letter)
The primary requirement made of Realty Laua by the state was removal of resident manager Lisa Faleafine, a member of the family that owns Realty Laua.
Faleafine had previously been transferred from a similar job at another state-owned housing facility on the Big Island after residents there complained repeatedly about mismanagement and squalid living conditions.
On Oct. 17, the state cancelled Realty Laua’s contract, saying in a letter to company president Robert Faleafine that he had failed to remove Lisa Faleafine as Honokowai Kauhale manager. (See the Oct. 17 Letter)
Robert Faleafine had “verbally assured” the state that a new manager would be appointed, but later asked for “clarification” of the state’s position, the Oct. 17 letter said.
“HHFDC finds this response insufficient,” agency administrator Karen Seddon said in the letter.
“HHFDC required the immediate removal and replacement of (Faleafine) as Resident Manager of the Honokowai Kauhale rental project based on the various and serious allegations documented,” the letter said.
“Realty Laua has failed to act not only as required by HHFDC, but also notably in direct contrast to what Realty Laua LLC represented to be an action it was willing to take,” Seddon wrote.
The three-year, $1.75 million management contract was awarded to Realty Laua last year. The contract was initially awarded to another firm, Hawaii Affordable Properties, but that award was overturned after Realty Laua formally protested HHFDC’s procurement procedures.
After Realty Laua’s contract was cancelled, HHFDC awarded a six-month, non-bid contract to Hawaii Affordable Properties to manage Honokowai Kauahale.
The state is paying Hawaii Affordable Properties $375,000 under the six-month contract — $128,000 more than it was paying Realty Laua for the same work.
Murray!. Going to the State building with signs is getting somewhere definately. According to a tenant the resident manager is back, perhaps for the temp until they get a permanent management company to take over. Its good to hear that they have someone, atleast to see whats going on. Rumor is that Lisa and Kepa was seen on property with their close friend and tenant the dude with his ukulele classes on Wednesday. Lisa and Kepa is parking outside of the property and walking into the complex so their vehicles are not spotted. No matter how much they try to sneek in eyes are watching their every move. Yes the felon is still on the property. And the trespass notice still havent been placed on the both of them. That’s fine, until something goes bad or someone gets hurt it’ll be on the State behind. Units are not filling up any faster or sooner, looks like it’s slowly taking it’s time.
OKAY. NOW THAT 2011 IS HISTORY-LETS SEE WHAT 2012 IS GONNA BRING US. I FEEL AND SMELL JUSTICE COMING VERY SOON!…..Now that the Holiday has gone, It’s time to really take care of buisness….Let’s go Dooley!
So the word out is-Lisa and Kepa is pushing their way back to HK as tenants. And if they get denied, they are gonna sue the State. Hummmm…They still must have connections with the Management Company now? I smell a rat..or …..rats…Okay Dooley here we go again. So what happened to the secretary you guys let go?. I’m telling you it’s not over until all of those stink rats are gassed out!…In due time.
just heard the former secretary was let go!..something is so not right. what is going on? Dooley on the rampage now!
lets get to the bottom of this
Norman, what is going on here? It sounds as if Seddon and Miyasaki are up to no good again! Are units being fixed and filled?
Norman, Lanakila, and all others interested!
You may want to look into this further. The HHFDC Board conducted an annual performance review on Seddon last month. It is my understanding that letters from staff were sent to the Board outlining the bullying, intimidation, yelling and screaming tactics that she has used in her management of the office. The letters were not signed for fear of retaliation.
In addition there were concerns about her lying or withholding information from the Board that was brought to their attention. In what should have been a one-time review in April has led to a second discussion of the Board on the same topic in May. By discussing it for a second month must mean that there is some basis or concern.
As we all know, the truth will always surface and this may spell the end of her reign as Queen!
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