A Hawaii building owner should be aware of the issues they may encounter depending on the type of roofing system installed at their building. Awareness of the signs of failure can prevent major damage to other major components of the building and property within the structure. This article will outline various types of roofing systems [...]
Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world, and if designed and installed properly it has close to an indefinite lifespan. Concrete is versatile; it will conform to virtually any shape it is placed in, allowing for creativity in design and durability. Its simplicity ends here. Concrete is subject to damage and [...]
In buildings over ten years old, issues such as leaks at windows or plumbing can be one of largest burdens an association or property may face, particularly if no recovery is available against the builder be- cause the statute of limitations has run. The good news is that claims against product manufacturers for components such as [...]
Somewhere On Your Property There Is An Accident Waiting To Happen Does your maintenance budget cover regular repairs to railings, walkways and staircases? If not, your bill could be catastrophic. A man fell to his death in 2016 when a railing at Ala Moana Center reportedly gave way. His friend, who tried to stop the [...]
Spending $3.6 million for a condominium will buy you a lot. A lot of trouble, that is, including loud popping sounds coming from windows that resemble sonic booms. At least, that’s what the board of the luxury Waiea condo tower in Kakaako’s Ward Village alleges in a lawsuit filed in state court last month. The [...]
“It’s conceivable that a general contractor could, on the one hand, be liable to an owner for damages relating to an unlicensed subcontractor’s work, but on the other hand, would not be able to recover against the subcontractor for the same issues,” Osterkamp says. “U.S. Pipelining is a confusing decision, and it’s hard to tell [...]
Modern plumbing systems for potable water are generally comprised of either copper or Pex tubing, with copper pipes still being the top-of-the-line accepted standard and Pex now promoted as more durable and easier to install. Pex is now a building code-approved plumbing line, with each brand having their own International Code Council-approved report. Properly installed, [...]
What is a construction defect? Construction defects are construction practices that violate the building code, violate specific installation instructions or product approval, deviate from the approved plans, cut impermissible corners, and/ or incorporate components that are prone to fail in their installation and/ or use. Read More
Design and construction defects in Hawaii's concrete decks hurt victims - and builders. A recent fatality at Ala Moana Center that occurred when a railing reportedly gave way is still fresh in the minds of many Hawaii residents. As the Ala Moana accident and a later lawsuit show, defects can endanger the people who stand [...]
Featured in The Municipal Reporter, June 2018 To view the entire publication, visit: https://nmml.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/June-Prelim.pdf
