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July
20, 2010
Dear Kepuhi Beach Resort Homeowners,
I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting news about the
re-opening of our swimming pool. I’m sorry I’ve not
written to you sooner but I keep hearing that progress will be
made shortly, which constantly leaves me trying to decide whether
it’s better to write with no news or wait for another few
weeks.
Unfortunately, the pool repairs are still stuck in the Maui County
permitting process. The repair plans and permit application were
submitted the beginning of April. The Department of Health (DOH)
came back with additional questions the beginning of June and
a full response was provided within days but nothing has been
heard since. I wish I could blame this delay on the Ranch (MPL)
but they seem to have little influence over the process at this
stage. The point person at DOH has just returned from vacation
so hopefully progress will be forthcoming soon. Please rest assured
that we are following up and pushing on a continuous basis. Your
Board understands the rental difficulties caused by this uncertain
situation and I know the delay has been frustrating and costly
for all our owners.
On a more positive note, I just received word that the circuit
court judge signed the final judgment officially entering our
arbitration award as a civil judgment in the Second Circuit, State
of Hawaii. This opens the door to further enforcement options
and enhances our leverage on MPL’s restoration activities.
MPL has 30 days to challenge this action but it’s unlikely
they will do so as it would be futile and only cost them more.
Although the legal process is moving very slowly, we continue
to win virtually every motion and hearing along the way. Earlier
this year I described the situation as similar to being half way
through a football game but already knowing the outcome. That’s
still true but playing out the second half is more frustrating
than I expected because the delays seem so senseless and unnecessary.
The restoration of the Hotel Lot common area continues with more
and more being brought back but the irrigation system is a disaster.
Now that summer is drying the property out, the Ranch workers
are trying to keep up with an irrigation system that leaks more
water than it sprinkles. These leaks not only slow down the restoration
but also impact our own water pressure and supply because the
systems are somewhat intertwined.
I wish I had more to report. I contact MPL and/or our lawyers
at least twice per week for updates or to instigate some action,
so sooner or later I will have good news to share with you.
In addition, the Board is at work on a major staffing overhaul
and a variety of initiatives including revamping the lanai policy
as well as numerous property enhancement projects. We continue
to replace old shrubs and plants with new ones, with the goal
of adding more color and interest to the look of our grounds.
We are upgrading the maintenance plan for our buildings to include
vacuuming and cleaning the landing carpets on a regular basis.
There are staircases being reinforced and lanai pads being replaced.
And, as always, we continually chase plumbing and electrical issues
as they arise.
We very much appreciate your support and patience as we navigate
our way through this complex set of circumstances.
Important: Please keep the Annual Meeting dates in your calendars
and plan to attend. The annual festivities begin with a potluck
Thursday, November 11, with entertainment being provided by DJ
and Lono. Friday and Saturday will be the Board Meeting and the
Homeowner’s Meeting as well as the Golf Tournament, Table
Top tournament, and Crafts Fair. It is a wonderful time to meet
new neighbors, share good food, and enjoy the beautiful entertainment
and aloha spirit from the island. Official notice and registration
details will be sent to you in September.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Jeff Kent
President, West Molokai Resort AOAO
June 14, 2010
Dear Kepuhi Beach Resort Homeowner,
Enclosed are rough drafts of two documents the Board of Directors
have been working on.
The first is an AOAO lanai policy that was developed after gathering
the thoughts, opinions and suggestions of our homeowners through
the lanai survey conducted earlier this year. From those results
it was quite clear that the association membership overwhelmingly
want the lanais more controlled than they have been but not as
much as the rules currently call for. The Board has spent an enormous
amount of time trying to find the right balance that will protect
the appearance of the property but allow for homeowner’s
personal expression and enjoyment of their individual lanais.
The Board was very careful to tailor the policy so nearly all
items the membership majority wanted restricted are restricted
and those items the majority wanted permitted are permitted. Please
take the time to compare this draft lanai policy to the survey
results (also enclosed).
The second document is an updated set of House Rules. Most rules
are unchanged but some needed updated language to reflect changes
in AOAO policies as well as state and federal law.
Important: These two documents are only drafts. The Board has
not adopted either. We want to first get your feedback before
moving forward. Please carefully review and consider them, then
mail or email the Board with your comments and/or suggestions.
All input must be received by July 15, 2010 in order to be considered
before production of the next draft.
Mahalo in advance for your input!
Sincerely,
Aloha,
Jeff Kent
President, West Molokai Resort AOAO
Click
on the link below to see the Lanai Policy Draft
Lanai
Policy DRAFT
May
18, 2010
Dear West Molokai Resort Homeowner,
The Board of Directors held their spring meeting on Molokai on
April 12th. During that meeting we set a goal of making our property
look 15 years younger by this November’s annual meeting.
Most of the Board were on property for extended stays and a lot
of work was accomplished.
• Many new plants were installed, replacing the old and
dying throughout the property. This included 4 new fruit trees.
• The entire grounds were fertilized.
• The parking lot sign project was completed.
• The entire irrigation system was tested, adjusted and
repaired.
• An Automated External Defibrillator was purchased and
installed on the AOAO office lanai (unit #1171).
The minutes for the April 12th meeting with attachments are enclosed.
The most striking information to report is the incredibly strong
financial position of our AOAO. Our reserves are now 100% fully
funded and we continue to run surpluses nearly every month. Add
to this the $75,000 award from the arbitrator and full reimbursement
of our legal fees and we are in a very healthy situation.
The down side is the swimming pool has not yet reopened. The strategy
is still to reopen it on a temporary basis for 4 or 5 months while
permitting for the full restoration is working its way through
the county. Unfortunately, even the temporary permit is taking
longer than expected. Currently we are waiting for the Department
of Health to give the plan their blessing. That could come any
day and once achieved it shouldn’t take more than 30 days
to reopen. The Hotel Lot landscaping restoration is progressing
slowly but surely. I will be returning to Molokai in mid June
to offer face to face encouragement for MPL to fulfill their common
area obligations.
There are a lot of improvements underway and many more planned.
Please join us the second week in November at the annual homeowner’s
meeting during which we will celebrate our rejuvenated and restored
shared piece of paradise.
Aloha,
Jeff Kent
President, West Molokai Resort AOAO
January
22, 2010
Dear
West Molokai Resort Homeowner,
It has been a month since our stunning arbitration victory, and
we are beginning to see small indications of activity around
the Hotel Lot. We have yet to receive any firm plan or commitment
on time frame so we are likely looking at a long
restoration process. Obviously reopening the pool is our primary
objective and MPL has started to clean it up.
It is still unknown what repairs will be needed and how long that
will take. I will be on property the first week of February
to investigate the situation and begin a photo catalogue to document
the restoration process. A lot of you have been
writing with questions that I can not answer yet. I hope to know
more soon so please be patient with me for a little while longer.
Attached are the draft minutes of our November Board of Directors
meeting. Since then we
have undertaken a lot of activity.
• Ellyn has initiated a new crew task list and a process
for monitoring quality and project completion.
• New signage for the parking lots has been purchased and
will be posted in the next few weeks.
• New B.B.Q. grills and “rocks” have been installed
and a more thorough cleaning procedure has been instituted.
• A new clothes dryer and hot water boiler have been installed.
• 38 of the Ranch coconut trees which hang over our common
areas were trimmed (paid for by private donation).
• A Sun shade was installed on the internet hotspot lanai.
• The Board has instituted an owner notification system
for utility outages where power or water will be turned off for
more than 24 hours. Mike Jennings will notify Ellyn Dooley and
she and Barbra Kyte will call the owners
in that building to inform them of the situation.
• The Board drafted a long list of repairs in November which
is well on its way to completion including; lights,
B.B.Q., building, plumbing, and ground repairs.The Board continues
to investigate and work on various
homeowner suggestions made at the annual meeting and we expect
to report more on those in the coming months.
A lot of great things have happened and many more are coming soon.
The rebirth of our resort is beginning
and we all share a brighter future in paradise.
Aloha,
Jeff Kent
President, West Molokai Resort AOAO
September
10, 2009
Aloha West Molokai Resort Homeowners:
Re: Annual Meeting of your Association (November 14th, 2009).
To update you on the litigation between the Ranch and the AOAO,
the arbitration hearing occurred without further continuance on
August 31st, September 1st, and September 3rd. Both sides presented
their cases through five witnesses each and hundreds of exhibits
that were entered into evidence. The formal proceedings are now
over but closing arguments will occur during the next few weeks
through a series of written filings back and forth. Once those
are submitted, the judge will likely take up to three weeks to
issue a ruling so we are looking at sometime early to mid October
for the final result.
The hearings went as well as we could have hoped. Our case came
out very strong where the Ranch’s case was weak and convoluted.
Jeff feels hopeful that a victory is coming for the AOAO but how
big a victory is still being decided. A full report on our success
will be provided sometime in October with further discussion at
the Homeowner’s Annual Meeting in November.
Those planning on attending the Board and Homeowner’s Meetings
in November will be pleasantly surprised by a few changes mostly
as a result of requests made at last year’s Homeowner’s
Meeting. First, the board has purchased nice Adirondack chairs
placed strategically on the grounds as a beginning toward resort
enhancement. A new, large aesthetic bench will have been installed
in between cottages 5 and 6 so owners and guests who are unable
or prefer not to walk to the beach for sunset can sit and enjoy
the view. Those attending the meeting may be able to participate
in discussing other ideas that will be presented to ‘beautify’
our grounds in addition to offering enhanced opportunities for
socializing, outdoor game areas, and more.
Another item implemented from last year’s meeting is the
opening of the internet hotspot on the lanai of the AOAO office
(1171). Two tables with several chairs have been set up with plug-ins
available for several computers. Quiet hours must continue to
be observed. To keep noise to a minimum, Skyping or other loud
conversation will not be allowed. This will be disruptive to the
surrounding neighbors. How to get set up and access the system
will be described later.
Most importantly at this time, please find enclosed the information
for the board meeting, homeowner’s meeting, and additional
events’ calendar. We hope you are planning to attend. If
so, enclosed are reservation forms for the various events which
must be returned timely. However, if you are unable to attend,
also enclosed are proxy ballots which can be returned as described
in the self addressed, stamped envelope. The board thanks you
for all your support throughout a most difficult year and looks
forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the annual meetings
in November.
Mahalo nui loa,
Kepuhi Beach Resort Board
AOAO Board
Mike, Ellyn, Jeff, Barb, Dale, Bob
AOAO Crew
Chris, Franklin, Mike, Ivan,Hermie, Rodney
P.O. Box 58, Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii, 96770
Telephone 808.552.2313
www.kepuhibeachresort.com
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