Like many people in Hawaiʻi, I live in a condominium community that’s managed by a volunteer board of directors. They’re our neighbors — regular people trying to do their best. The board meets, votes are taken, the majority wins, and decisions move forward.
That’s how it’s supposed to work. But over time, I’ve learned that majority rule isn’t always right. When the majority votes for something that breaks the law, ignores professional advice, or delays critical repairs, that’s not democracy — that’s dysfunction.
‘Speak With One Voice’ — Or Stay Silent?
When directors are afraid to speak up, the community loses vital checks and balances. Honest disagreement isn’t the problem; silence is. And when problems are hidden, small issues grow into costly ones.
Deferred Maintenance: A Statewide Issue
Across Hawaiʻi, many condo buildings are showing their age. Leaking pipes, aging elevators, cracked concrete, and outdated wiring are becoming all too common.
Professional Reserve Studies are supposed to be our roadmap — a plan for repairing and funding building components before they fail. Yet too often, boards treat them as optional. Repairs are postponed, timelines stretched, and costs pushed to the next group of owners…