Woes at Waiea

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

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Keep Your Eye On The Law

“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

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The Scourge of Yellow Brass in Plumbing Fittings

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,

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Common Litigated Defect Claims in Hawaii

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

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Fatal Flaws

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

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