Navigating the
DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS Kanani Kaopua
A CAI seminar offers practical advice for avoiding legal complications BY DON CHAPMAN
Paul Ireland Koftinow
A
Melanie Oyama
Richard Ekimoto
Anne Anderson
legal seminar on “Do’s and Don’ts of Design Review” drew more than 250 building managers, board members, unit owners and attorneys to the Japanese Cultural Center on Feb. 6. The Community Association Institute of Hawaii hosted the luncheon, with support from the state Condominium Education Trust fund and the Real Estate Commission. Speakers included Kanani Kaopua (PCAM) of Hawaiian Properties (“Architectural Design Review Process: Beginning to End”), attorney Paul A. Ireland Koftinow of Anderson, Lahane and Fujisaki (“Covenants and Design Controls in Community Associations”), attorney Melanie K. Oyama of Rosenberg, Motooka, Kau and Oyama (“Case Study of Design Review Issues”) and attorney Richard S. Ekimoto of Ekimoto and Morris (“Design Review and Fair Housing”). Anne Anderson moderated. Why so many attorneys when at first blush design review conjures images of architects and contractors? Because, Ireland Koftninow said, “design controls are often the subject of disputes and costly litigation.” Kaopua stressed the importance of properly completing the design application form, including details such as specifying where a contractor and crew can park, enter and move gear through the building, provide proof of insurance and guarantee disposal of items such as old flooring, light fixtures or cabinets off property. “Your trash compactor is not going to be able to handle all that material,” she said. Kaopua also emphasized the role building managers must play. “Managers are limited to serving as a liaison between owners and the architectural design review committee, including confirming all required forms and plans are obtained from the owner for ADRC review and informing the owner of the timeline for review to be completed,” she said.
20 BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAWAII | MARCH 2020
