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Newsletter |
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| Volume 6, Issue 1 - Spring 2006 |
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FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
Aloha from sunny Maui, Jim.
On with the news….
ANNUAL HOMEOWNERS MEETING
The Annual meeting was held Saturday, January 14th, at the Westin. The meeting was well attended with almost 70% of the Owners represented either in person or by proxy.
At this meeting the terms of three Directors expire. Five candidates ran for the positions. Our new Directors are Dennis Pettinelli (A303) and Bethann Londynsky (L303). Lauri Beck (J301) was reelected to another term. Congratulations and thank-you to Dennis, Bethann and Lauri. We always look forward to the new thinking and ideas and that improve our community.
President, Bob Pure provided property updates including progress on the new gate at our entrance which should be ready in February. Bob spoke about our maintenance fees and how the cost of oil impacts business on Maui, and asked audience input for any ideas to control costs.
Member Rod Conklin presented some ideas that are being considered to control energy costs associated with air conditioning. He explained how the lack of maintenance of individual air movers increases energy costs. Rod will provide a more detailed written report at a later date.
There were questions regarding the new parking registration fee from the floor. This led to a very lively discussion and a motion to rescind the fee. A ballot vote on the issue resulted in no change. Bob Pure suggested that the BOD revisit the issue after a trial period.
The annual Homeowner's party, catered by Applegate & Co, was held pool-side that evening under a beautiful moon with perfect weather. A good time was had by all.
KOA
Kaanapali Operation Association (KOA) is the organization that manages the common areas within the Kaanapali Resort.
KOA operates much like any owner's association with employees, budgets, and regular meetings with election of officers. Members include representatives of each of the properties within the resort. The Kaanapali Royal as a member property pays annual dues of $32,000 or about $25 monthly from every KR homeowner. Fees are calculated on a formula that uses room count or land size.
Common area landscaping, road and sidewalk maintenance, street lighting, sign-age, the green trolley, and security are some examples KOA's responsibility within the resort.
An improvement project is underway that includes redesigned entries to the resort, new sign-age, additional trees and shrubs, and lighting improvements. The entrance road to our property, Kaanapali Royal Drive, is scheduled to be re-paved in 2006.
ENTRANCE IMPROVEMENTS
With property values bouncing around a million dollars, the BOD decided it was time that our entrance looks like a million as well.
Since the existing barrier arm gates were already scheduled for replacement, the board decided to replace them with estate style entrance gates instead. The gates are being fabricated now and will be located in front of the kiosk at our property line. Posts are already in place. The separate entrance and exit gates will swing with traffic flow, and will be set up to operate with existing clickers and key pad. After everything is in place and operating the existing gates will be removed. The project should complete in February.
Lighting and landscape improvements are also planned at the entrance.
THIRD FLOOR MODIFICATIONS
For those who may be unaware, over the years some of the third floor apartments have expanded the floor-plan into areas that are considered “common area”. This was often done quite innocently by owners copying what they saw their neighbors do, or in some cases the units were purchased with these changes already in place.
Unfortunately, building permits were not obtained and we are now finding some of the work cannot meet Uniform Building Code and must be modified or removed.
We now know the following;
Walk-in spaces created at the top of the stairs under the roof cannot be made to meet code due to egress and ceiling height issues.
A 3 foot by 6 foot reach-in closet at the top of the stairs is permittable by code. Those wishing to add this closet are advised to wait until the membership votes to approve the change.
Guard rails that were removed during a lanai ”pop out” must be replaced. This applies to 2nd floor units as well.
There are still unanswered questions regarding some of the master bath expansions. Marie Kimmey AIA is working with all of the affected owners and can answer those specific questions.
The owners of apartments with missing guard rails should have received a letter offering replacement solutions. Please read this letter carefully to confirm your railing count. If you have a guard rail missing and did not receive a letter, please call the office immediately to be included with the bulk purchase. There are enough missing railings that the cost in bulk is less than 1/2 price if purchased separately at a later date.
ELECTRIC BILLS
Have you ever wondered about the typical MECO billing for one of our apartments? I asked around, $155... $167... $235.. $275, and $325.
If your power bill is over $300, there is something very wrong. Look first at your refrigerator. Several owners have told me their bill dropped $100 after replacing the refrigerator. The next big item is air conditioning. Energy costs to run the AC fan 24x7 is over $100 monthly.
Hawaii has the highest energy costs in the United States. All of the electricity on Maui comes from diesel powered generators. A giant wind farm under construction might provide some relief, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Consider replacing the ceiling lights in your kitchen and baths with fluorescent bulbs. They require 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generate 70% less heat, and last up to 10 times longer. According to Energy Star , if every household in the U.S. replaced one bulb with a compact fluorescent it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road.
CHANGES IN THE WIND
It’s always good to see new faces on property, please welcome our new owners.
J201 – Uwe Schulz
M201 – Jessie Gonzalez
P101 – James Krochka
D101 – Vicki Flemming
And a fond aloha to old friends…
J201 – Randy Currier
M201 – Lloyd and Patti Loers
P101 – Peter and Debbi Martin
D101 – David Lewis
MEETING DATES
Director's Meeting - 4/7/06, 9:00am on site.
Director's Meeting - 10/10/06, Las Vegas.
Director's Meeting - 1/12/07, on site.
Annual Meeting - 1/13/07, Maui.
Owner's Party - 1/13/07, Pool-side.
Owners are encouraged to attend all meetings and witness the process first hand. This is also a perfect time to have your voice heard.
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