February - March 2008
associations
Cecily Ann Ching, new president
As the 2008 President of BOMA Hawai‘i, it is my honor, on behalf
of the 2008 BOMA Hawai‘i Officers and Directors, to present to our
members an exciting agenda of educational programs to support the commercial
property management industry.
The year started with the sold-out January joint program when members and guests of the Hawai‘i chapters of BOMA, CCIM and IREM had a chance to hear a well-respected panel of national and local real estate professionals and economists present their forecast of Hawai’i’s Real Estate for 2008.
Network opportunities through social and charitable events and an industry trade show, Continuing Education, programs on LEED sustainability in office buildings, fast-tracking the permitting and construction management process, capital budgeting, tenant retention and satisfaction, disaster recovery planning, will combine with courses to promote professional designations to round out the educational programs throughout 2008.
A stellar program highlight will be on February 12 when BOMA, in partnership with HECO, presents a BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (“BEEP”) handbook that marks the culmination of a year-long project under direction of the project chairman Bill Short, the subcommittees, and HECO.
The handbook includes an overview on a wide variety of subjects and topics relevant to commercial property industry professionals to help BOMA members optimize the operations of their Hawaii commercial properties by 1) lowering Fossil-Fuel use through efficiency and operational changes, and 2) increasing the use of Renewable Energy.
Although the valuable handbook is free to BOMA members and to all attendees of the February 12 program where the handbook will be presented by industry experts, those interested can also call BOMA at 847-0143 or email boma@hawaii.rr.com for more information.
Finally, as 2008 is an important election year, BOMA will look to provide
testimony on key bills being considered for legislation, such as on bill
87, effective 2010, mandating all new buildings meet the Green Building
Rating System established by LEED.
BOMA Hawai‘i is poised to meet its mission this year in “Advancing
the Commercial Property Management Industry through Education, Networking
and Advocacy”.
Cecily Ching is President of BOMA Hawai‘i, has been an active BOMA member since 1998, and has served on the BOMA Hawai‘i Board of Directors since 2006. Cecily is with The Shidler Group as General Manager of Waterfront Plaza/Restaurant Row comprised of more than 120 retail and office tenants. A licensed real estate broker since 1996, Cecily has 20 years of experience in financial and investment analysis, real estate sales, and commercial leasing and property management.
Following
another successful year CAI (Community Association Institute) Hawaii Chapter
held an annual meeting in November that was very well attended by over
85 people. Numerous door prizes ensured that just about every 3rd person
won something!
Lilian McCarthy was honored as Volunteer of the Year for her yeoman service as newsletter editor: she came through in the crunch many times and was much appreciated.
Joannie Taylor, our new President, spoke briefly. She’s the first president among the last 3 to be among the condominium owner group, not a vendor, and everyone looks forward to her doing a great job. Sue Savio tried to step down early but Joannie wouldn’t let her!
Next year’s program is in place and will include two seminars on Neighbor islands: on Maui, the legislative update, and in Kona the Hazards Remediation seminar will be provided. The ever popular “Avoiding Disaster at Your Annual Meeting” program will be held on Oahu in January, just in time to head one off this spring! And the ABC course will be given both on Oahu and in Kona this year.
CAI will also participate in the March Building Facilities Expo with, not just a booth, but also as a seminar presenter on the topic of “Security Issues in your Condominium or Community Association. Check the CAIHawaii.org website for details on the 2008 program and see what intrigues.
HBEA
The Hawaii Building Engineers Association’s main objective is to provide networking and educational seminars, on-line training and take home educational courses for our members. We have quarterly educational training seminars to help the building engineers perform their jobs more efficiently with also increased performance.
Our last meeting for the year was a success with some great speakers on topics related to water and energy reduction for Hawaii. We will be sponsoring the meeting for the upcoming Storm Water Best Management Practices. The meeting will talk about the City’s Storm Water management Plan, enforcement actions by Public Regulating Agencies, and implementation of Property Management Best Practices.
We also hold classes in basic electricity, advanced electricity, motor fundamentals, heating ventilation and air conditioning, both basic and advanced. Online courses are available through our partnership with HVACR education. The North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry and is the only test supported by the entire industry. Membership is $50 per person annually and provides a great many resources for Building Engineers to utilize.
Check out the web site at http://www.hawaiibea.com
Condo dwellers gone wild!!!
Dealing
with residents who harrass & threaten other residents, the board or
resident manager, was HCAAO’s year end educational presentation
on Dec 6th. The room was packed with of board members, managing agents
and the like in the audience to hear the speakers which included resident
Manager Ralph Shumway, attorney Joyce Y. Neely, Esq. and prosecuting attorney
Peter Carlisle.
Shumway, Waipuna resident manager gave a must have presentation on the fundamental standard operation procedure guide and included dealing with fighting owners, trespassing, harassing residents and more.
Joyce Y. Neely Esq., Neely & Anderson LLP, presented amazing real life incidents of violence encountered by community associations in Hawaii. These incidents brought the crowd to laughter while emphasizing the seriousness of the incidents. TRO’s (Temporary Restraining Orders) filing, when and how to file them brought the audience back into the seriousness of Condo dwellers gone wild!
Peter Carlisle Esq., prosecutor, city & county of Honolulu, brought insights into the types of cases that can lead to prosecution.
In dealing with Condo dwellers gone wild!!!, the most important point
emphasized by all is to document, document, document.
The Hawaii Council of Apartment Owners, has been around for over 30 years
and is a state chartered nonprofit corporation.
Any Association of Apartment Owners in a condominium, co-op or townhouse
complex is welcome to join the 100 plus members of HCAAO. Email us at
HCAAO@hawaii.rr.com or fax 808-485-8288
ATTN: Agnes Ringle, Interim Executive Director, for membership information.
The
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Hawaii Chapter 34 kicked off
2008 with a bang. In November 2007, the annual installation luncheon was
held at Hale Koa hotel. Regional Vice President from IREM (National) had
the privilege of installing the 2008 IREM Hawaii Board of Directors.
In addition, he presented to the IREM Hawaii membership, the accomplishments
and achievements of the past year by IREM National and other State Chapters,
and goals for 2008 as IREM celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
IREM is a professional organization of professionals in the real estate industry involved in commercial and residential property management. For more than seven decades, IREM has been the source for education, resources, information and membership for real estate management professionals.
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Front row, l to r: Christina
Fusuma-Asao, Gifford Chang, Suzie Setzler, Kristi Hirota, and Kelfred
Chang; Back row, l to r: Steve Sofos, Lois Ekimoto, Edward Sulliban,
Weylin Hokutan, Joseph Greenblatt, Clive Cabral, Kawika Keala, and
Bobbie Lau |
An affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, IREM is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, eight international chapters and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.
Membership includes more than 18,000 individual members and 500 corporate members. IREM promotes ethical real estate management practices through its credentialed membership programs, including the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, the Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) certification, the Accredited Commercial Manager certification and the Accredited Management Organization (AMO) accreditation. These esteemed credentials certify competence and professionalism for those engaged in real estate management. In addition, IREM offers Associate, Student and Academic memberships.
Collectively, IREM CPM Members in the United States manage over $1.5 trillion in real estate assets, including 8.4 million residential units and 8.4 billion net square feet of commercial space. An additional 977,400 residential units are managed by IREM ARM Members. IREM Members are employed by some of the most prestigious real estate firms in the world and nearly 70% hold upper-level management positions. Due to their professionalism and vast experience, property owners and investors worldwide continually seek out the management services of IREM Members.
IREM Hawaii Chapter No. 34, 2008 Board of Directors are:
President, Bobbie Lau,
Colliers Monroe & Friedlander Mgmt. Inc.
President-Elect, Steve Sofos,
Sofos Realty
Treasurer, Christina Fusuma-Asao,
CB Richard Ellis
Secretary, Lois Ekimoto,
Hawaiiana Management
Imm. Past President, Edward Sulliban,
Grubb and Ellis/CBI
VP of ARM, Kawika Keala,
Mott-Smith Laniloa
VP of Education, Edward Sulliban,
Grubb and Ellis/CBI
VP of Membership, Gifford Chang,
Ideal Properties, Inc.
VP of Membership, Weylin Hokutan,
City Properties, Inc.
VP of Programs, Suzie Setzler,
Sofos Realty
VP of Programs, Kristi Hirota,
Certified Management
Public Relations, Kelfred Chang,
Ideal Properties, Inc.
Public Relations, Clive Cabral,
Colliers Monroe & Friedlander Mgmt. Inc.
IREM Hawaii also participated in 2008 Real Estate Forecast Breakfast along with CCIM and BOMA. This event is the most widely attended real estate forecast event because the venue invites professionals and experts from the various sectors including residential, commercial (office, retail, and industrial) real estate.
IREM offers unique opportunities for Residential and Commercial Real Estate professional to learn, share and grow together. Programs and events are structured to address the needs of all. To learn more about IREM or if you need to contact a real estate management professional regarding your real estate concerns, please contact us at 536-4736 or irem@hawaii.rr.com.
* Information and statistics provided is from IREM National, a registered organization with the National Association of Realtors.
MRMA
New Resident Manager Award
The late Mike Venable, one of the three founding members of the Moiliili Resident Managers Association, believed in professionalism above all else. It was for this reason that MRMA was formed. He had a vision of managers becoming better educated, more multi-faceted, and less isolated from others in the industry. He knew that if he could bring managers together, they would learn from each other. And in the wake of increased professionalism, managers would gain greater respect, compensation, and career security.
To honor Mike’s vision and efforts towards these goals, MRMA Director Bruce Thompson (owner of Interim Management Services) put together a fitting tribute: the Mike Venable Excellence in Property Management Award. Three exemplary MRMA managers were nominated based on the criteria of accomplishment in the field of property management, community service, service to the organization, and commitment to continuing professional education.
The three nominees, Charles Bratton, Theresa Carta, and Ralph Shumway, were presented to the membership and voting took place. Though all three were very deserving, Shumway was the recipient of this inaugural year’s award.
The Mike Venable Excellence in Property Management Award sets an elevated standard for Hawaii’s community caregivers. It rewards those who live up to the ideals set forth by Venable. And it is a fitting symbol of the philosophies and goals of the Moiliili Resident Managers Association.
Salt Lake Brown Bag
By Richard Larson
The Salt Lake Brown Bag was started many years ago by some of the elite managers in the Salt Lake area, like Michael Souza & John Demont. It was formed to get together with the managers in the area so that they could talk with each other about some of the issues that arise and that pertain to the area. It is just another resource for the managers to network with each other which is a very vital tool in the Residential Management business.
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Country Club Plaza |
The meetings takes place on the 3rd Thursday of the month and would rotate between each managers building. Everyone would bring their own lunch but the hosting building manager would supply the drinks and a dessert of some sorts. The meetings were held during the noon to 1:00 pm lunch hour so as not to disrupt a busy manager’s day. Any manager in the area was welcome and encouraged to attend.
At one time there was a member list of over 32 members attending on a regular basis, from buildings such as Country Club Plaza, Franklin Tower, Plaza Landmark, Fairway Gardens, Sunset Lake View & Century West. Sometimes the group would also invite a vendor or contractor to the meeting when they had an issue that arose and the needed a little more expert advice.
One of the things that made this meeting unique was that we did not solicit sponsors to support us. The group wanted to be able to control the topics and not have sponsors who would want to push their companies or products.
When I joined the group it really helped me familiarize myself with the
demographics of the area and how I could use the information to help me
in my position as a manager in the area. The group also helped in developing
a special camaraderie with each other so that we would watch each others
buildings and notify each other if we seen something that didn’t
look right. It was like a neighborhood watch of sorts.
We were also like the welcoming committee to new managers taking over
building in the area. Meetings like this are not as rare as one might
believe and in fact there are many just like it in different areas of
the island. I believe even MRMA started out like this and then it just
continued to grow in to what is now one of the most popular meetings to
attend for managers all over the island.
I am honored to say that I have been an active member in both of these meetings for many years and look forward to doing so for many more years to come. As I mentioned earlier in the article I find it to be a valuable tool, it has helped me achieve a level of professionalism which has given me that boost in my career that has won me recognition in many of the professional organizations related to the Residential Management Industry.
Anyone interested in attending one of these meeting please contact Richard Larson at Country Club Plaza.
