Author: osiiAOAO

Hope you are all having a wonderful and joyous holiday season. It’s important to be courteous and respectful to your neighbors. Therefore, every year we send out this blog as a friendly reminder of how to celebrate the holidays at Oahu Surf II.

• Holiday Lights: Turn off lights on trees and lanais when you are not at home. This eliminates the chances of electrical fires and reduces excessive electricity consumption. All wiring and lights on lanais must be COMPLETELY removed on or before January 10th according to House Rule III.A.6.
• Live Christmas trees and décor: When it is time to dispose of trees, be sure to use disposable Christmas tree bags, which can be purchased at City Mill, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc. DO NOT place the bagged tree at curbside UNTIL the morning of your scheduled bulky item pickup.  Go to https://www.honolulu.gov/opala to make an appointment. You can also take your tree to a Green Waste Composting Facility.
• Large Gifts & Boxes: Break down boxes before placing in dumpsters. This allows room for others to place their boxes, too.
• Party Recyclables: Be mindful of what is and isn’t recyclable. Only put acceptable recyclables in the bins. Non-acceptable items take up space that could otherwise be used. Cans and plastics can be smashed to maximize space in bins.  Read our blog on how to properly recycle.
• Trash: Trash bags over 10 gallon capacity must be carried down to the dumpsters. Boxes must be flattened, and trash bags with glass or liquids should be securely sealed and double-bagged as necessary to prevent leaking.  Please do not throw bags of kitty litter and dog poop down the trash chute.
• Celebrations: Be mindful of the building’s Quiet Hours (10 pm to 8 am). Escort guests quietly when in hallways. Keep music and conversation volumes down, especially during these hours.

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

 

Are your jalousie windows worn out or need replacement? The exact type of window we currently have is no longer manufactured. They can be repaired, but to replace them, you will need to choose a new manufacturer. The new windows you choose should look uniform with the rest of the building.

There are several companies out there, but most of them use the same manufacturer. Tradewinds Jalousies are used by most companies on island. They are manufactured, sold and installed by RMA Sales, but other companies on island can get and install them. If you have your own installer, they can also just be manufactured by Tradewinds for your purchase. Please click/tap here to see the Tradewinds brochure for product and contact info.

These jalousies are aluminum extrusions and made with a blend of recycled aluminum billet, which would match our current windows the closest. If you can find a jalousie that matches or fits your budget better, feel free to submit those to the board. The board is not recommending these are the exact windows you have to use, rather just providing examples of the specifications that are needed for board approval. Jalousies like these would more than likely be approved for their uniformity. Just remember to adhere to the following House Rules:

III. APARTMENT MAINTENANCE
C. WINDOW AND ENTRYWAYS
1. LOUVERED WINDOWS
All broken or damaged window louvers are to be replaced promptly at the expense of the owner. Nothing is to be hung from outside of the windows nor shall any objects be placed on the windowsills.
VIII. BUILDING MODIFICATIONS
A. STRUCTURAL CHANGES
No structural changes, including but not limited to plumbing, shall be permitted either within or outside an apartment without prior written approval from the Board of Directors. NOTE: Special provisions apply for the granting of reasonable accommodations to handicapped and/or disabled residents as set forth in Section XI of these Rules.
D. APARTMENT REMODELING AND RENOVATIONS
2. INSURED LICENSED CONTRACTORS
Any renovation and/or construction performed within units shall be performed only in accordance with the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the City & County of Honolulu.

If you need to replace your windows and have further questions, please email the board or the manager.

Hurricane season in Hawaii is from June 1st to November 30th of each year.  The NOAA is expecting below-normal activity this year with 1-4 tropical cyclones in the central Pacific region.  However, don’t let your guard down. It’s better to be prepared than sorry.  Don’t wait until a hurricane is headed toward us.  Avoid the rush and be ready beforehand by having enough supplies for at least 7-14 days.

Hurricane Kits

• First-aid kit and prescription medication
• OTC medication and masks just in case someone gets ill
• Water for drinking and cooking to last 3 days.  The general rule is one gallon per person, per day.
• Non-perishable foods: Canned foods (and a manual can opener), peanut butter, crackers, granola, etc.
• Flashlights, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
• Personal hygiene items like soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, and shampoo
• Eyeglasses, clean clothing, and footwear
• Battery operated radio (again, have extra batteries)
• Put important documents into a waterproof container including writing down important phone numbers from your cell phone

Securing Your Apartment

• Do not keep prohibited items on your lanai, and be ready to bring in all outdoor furniture, plants, and anything else not tied down
• Ensure you can close awnings (rolling shutters) if you have them
• During the storm, stay away from glass windows and doors (taping windows won’t prevent glass from breaking, but may keep water from trickling in through louvers)
• Have extra towels available should rain water enter your unit during the storm

Prepare for Power Outages

• Keep your gas tank always above half full to avoid having to go out last minute
• Fill the bathtub or large receptacles with water for washing and flushing only
• Freeze any food that can be frozen and set your fridge to the coldest setting just before the storm approaches
• Charge cell phones and extra portable chargers

Other Preparations

• Have enough cash set aside.  In case there is no electricity, you won’t be able to use debit or credit cards to purchase small items.
• Update your contact information by filling out the registration card in the Our Documents menu and providing it to the Resident Manager
• Make sure your homeowners insurance (HO-6 policy) is in good standing
• The Hawaiian Electric website has a Hurricane Preparedness Handbook and Checklist containing more information on what you can do ahead of time.

The key to survival and minimizing loss is to be prepared before disaster strikes.  Please share this information with your friends and family.  Aloha!

Have you checked your windows lately? Do you have any missing or broken louvers? Is there so much grime and dirt on the jalousies that it’s running down the walls? If so, you may be in violation of a house rule.

House Rules Sec III, C. 1. LOUVERED WINDOWS

All residents of units with windows facing the walkways are required to keep such windows clean of dirt and debris at all times in order to prevent accumulated dirt and/or from washing onto common walkways. In addition to assessment of applicable fines for violation(s) of this House Rule, amounts incurred to perform any cleaning necessitated by any violation will be assessed against the unit owner.

All broken or damaged window louvers are to be replaced promptly at the expense of the owner.

Window cleaning & replacement of broken/missing louvers must be completed by May 31, 2025.

As the Hawaii legislative session moves into the final weeks for 2025, the Senate CPN and House CPC Committees are looking closely into whether this year’s insurance stabilization measures can help condo associations and unit owners.

To help gather feedback on ways that this year’s legislation could help condo associations navigate building upgrades and insurance needs, Senator Carol Fukunaga, Vice-chair of the Senate Commerce/Consumer Protection Committee, is scheduling a community meeting for interested AOAO board members and unit owners on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Catholic Charities Headquarters, located at 1822 Ke’eaumoku Street (parking is available in parking lot located under the main facility).

President Doug Buhr of Douglas Engineering Pacific, Inc. has assembled a knowledgeable team of industry professionals (e.g. engineering, project management, insurance, etc.) to provide ‘helpful tips’ for condos to address fire safety upgrades and to answer questions in conjunction with insurance and other condo maintenance demands.

It is recommended to RSVP senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov if you plan on attending the meeting.

We have had several occurrences over the years where a water pipe behind a wall was penetrated with a nail or screw. If you need to hang a painting or secure a shelf to the wall, especially if it’s on the other side of a kitchen or bath fixture, please consult with the Resident Manager. Even when using a stud finder, a pipe can easily be mistaken for a wall stud. Remember, know where to drill or face a big spill (and maybe a bill)!

The Oahu Surf II Board of Directors has approved to submeter electricity usage in the building.  Submetering involves installing individual meters in each unit. By doing so, it will allow for accurate measurement of energy consumption, which will result in fairer billing and overall energy efficiency.  With the rising cost of utilities, energy-efficient buildings often have higher property values, too.  

Starting 10/14/2024, technicians will require entry into each unit to install metering equipment near the electrical breaker. This is a small device (11” W x 8” H x 5.5” D), that will determine how much electricity is being used within each unit and charged directly back to the owner based on individual unit usage. The device will be installed at a maximum distance of six inches away from your circuit breaker panel. The entire installation process should take no longer than two hours. Please make arrangements with the Site Manager, regarding any access issues. We will do our best to accommodate differing schedules, but ultimately the responsibility for granting access will lie with each individual owner / resident as it is imperative that there is 100% compliance in this endeavor. Prior to the time of your scheduled installation, please have the area around your electrical breaker cleared for the technicians. 

Once submetering is activated, owners will be billed monthly for their share of energy use.  Units with A/C will no longer have to pay the extra fee. 

Should you have any questions, you may contact the Management Company.  Your cooperation during the installation phase is very much appreciated.

On September 24, 25, and 26, Spectrum will be in the building between 8 AM and 5 PM to upgrade equipment and change a part in each unit. They will be removing the addressable tap off the wall and replacing it with a DC and splitter and install a new wall plate.

It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to do each replacement with a 30-45 minutes downtime in each unit. Please clear furniture and other obstacles around the addressable tap prior to Spectrum’s arrival to allow the technicians to work unencumbered.

Stacks 01 and 02 will be done on Tuesday 9/24/2024.
Stacks 04 and 05 will be done on Wednesday 9/25/2024.
Stack 03 will be done on Thursday 9/26/2024.

It is imperative that they have access to your unit on the appropriate day. Units that do not provide access will not have Spectrum service (internet, cable, and/or phone) after the 25th.

Please contact the Resident Manager if you need to make special arrangements for access. Mahalo for your cooperation!

Like Queen’s hit song from the 70’s, bicycles are meant to be ridden. Sadly, many bikes kept in our building are in disrepair or do not have proper registration. These bikes are taking up valuable rack space for regular bike users.

If you do not plan to ride your bike (at least once a week), please remove it from the rack. If you sell/donate/dump your bike, inform the Resident Manager, so it can be unregistered with the building.

If you do use your bike regularly, then congratulations! According to the House Rules, it must be registered with the City & County of Honolulu and display the appropriate registration decals from the C&C and the building. It should also be in good working order (no flat tires or broken parts).

Let’s try to be considerate and understanding to your fellow bicyclists.

There have been a few incidents involving dogs in the building. Therefore, we would like to remind dog owners of proper etiquette when walking their dog in common areas.

When waiting for the elevator to arrive, always put your dog in a “Sit” position at least 3 feet from the elevator door. This way your dog will learn to respect the boundaries of the elevator and you will have more control over any surprise interactions when the door opens. Allow passengers inside to exit before entering.

As the door opens, make sure your dog waits for your command (“Ok”, “Release”, “Go Ahead”) before your dog enters the elevator. If someone is inside and would like to exit, allow them to pass first. Do not allow your dog to greet without permission as some people and dogs may not be as interested in saying hello.

When you reach your destination floor, again make use of your “Wait” command. Check to see there are no immediate obstacles (human or canine) before exiting into the hallway.

Pay close attention to your dog at all times in or near elevators. Have your dog on a leash before exiting your apartment, and do not take your dog off the leash while on the property until back in your apartment.

Finally, please do not dump dog waste (even if bagged) down the trash chute or in the lobby trash can. Place bagged dog waste directly in the dumpster.

As a reminder, dogs are not allowed unless they are for emotional or physical assistance per the House Rules II.A.6 (page 6).  Dog owners must submit to the Resident Manager an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) unless the dog is for disabled and/or handicapped occupants as permitted by the HRS Section §142-5.5.

Mahalo for your cooperation!