Management Executives from Hawaiiana Management Company hosted nearly 200 Association Board Members for its "Pathways to Success" Seminar at the Hale Koa Hotel.

Hawaiiana recently hosted a training event for nearly 200 condo and community association board members covering some of today’s most important industry issues.

Hawaii’s condominium and community association board members are unsung heroes. Most serve without pay yet are responsible for running not-for-profit corporations with assets valued in multi-millions of dollars.Thanks to the hard work and dedication of these volunteers, Hawaii’s property values in these communities thrive. Some of the lessons taught at Hawaiiana’s event were:

Disaster Preparedness: Preparation of a hurricane plan, reviewing governing documents for language addressing rebuilding after destruction and becoming familiar with building evacuation zones and exit stairwells are some of the top tips recommended by Hawaii Civil Defense. If permitted under the association’s design guidelines, installation of shutters or panels to cover glass doors and windows are recommended.

Reserve Studies: Dana Bergeman President of Bergeman Project Group advised that the goal of a reserve study is to create stability and even predictable cash flow with all projects and expenses forecast for future years.Too often Associations aim toward the lowest possible dues. The correct dues to ensure a financially healthy property should be the goal.

Contracting Project Management: Capital improvement and replacement of building component can easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.Elevator modernization, cast iron re-piping, cooling tower replacement, elastomeric coating of building exteriors are just a few of the big ticket projects which Hawaii’s high-rise condos are routinely facing today.Getting the job done on-time and within budgetare important but, according to Bernie Wonneberger of WJE Associates equally important is minimizing risk for all entities—the Association, the design and construction teams.

Hawaiiana Management Company, a locally owned and operated management company, serves 600 Hawaii condominium buildings and community associations statewide and employs a local staff of 200. For more information on Hawaiiana’s award-winning services, contact Phyllis Kacher, Executive Senior Vice President at (808) 593-6896 or email phyllisok@hmcmgt.com.