Page 2 - Hawaii Island Midweek - Aug 25 2021

2 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK AUGUST 25, 2021
Visit Vegas’ Iconic Ghost Town
Recently, we had the pleasure of attend- ing our first concert since 2019 here on the Ninth Island, and it definitely had those island vibes.
once-prosperous mining communities have now be- come popular tourist desti- nations. Of the 20-plus ghost towns across the state, one is located just 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 11
RATING: GOLD
It was an outdoor event at the Mandalay Bay Beach, which, while there was no actual ocean, there was ac- tual sand. The “beach” was a perfect setting to sing along with Hawai‘i’s own Kolohe Kai, which performed all of its hits. Lead singer and songwriter Roman De Peralta even shared the stage with his new bride.
Nelson Ghost Town, for- merly known as Eldorado, is quite a unique experi- ence. From old vehicles and original buildings, to mine tours and a one-of-a-kind gift shop, this town is some- thing to see.
Afterward, Kolohe Kai and Iration took the stage, filling the beach with the sounds of their original reggae/pop. While based in Southern California, the members of the band once called Hawai‘i home.
Nelson is a popular des- tination for photo shoots, weddings and even movies. That’s right, Nelson has been the backdrop for sev- eral movies, including 3000 Miles to Graceland.
Old vehicles (and movie backdrops) are a part of the landscape at Nelson Ghost Town, an area formerly known as Eldorado. PHOTO COURTESY KRISTINE RODRIGUEZ
have seemed to decrease overall. Masks continue to be required for everyone in public indoor spaces, like casinos and restaurants, but can be removed outdoors, in- cluding at pools. Restaurants continue with 100% occupan- cy and the buffets that have
From manmade beaches to ghost towns in the middle of the desert, the Ninth Island is quite the unique destination. Nevada, once known for its mining towns, is now home to several ghost towns. These
The Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Fremont Street are certainly not even close to ghost towns. While we have noticed a slight decline in visitors to these areas, they are still action-packed. The weekends continue to be busier than earlier in the week, but the crowds and long waits for restaurants
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OWNER-BUILDER REMINDERS!
hawaiianrealty.com 800-667-5028 ext. 8122
Denise S. Nakanishi
RB-17031, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRS
“Major Mom is a Major Difference”
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majormom@ilhawaii.net
Sellers naturally become concerned when they perceive their bottom line is shrinking. Whether prices rise or fall, the issue of an owner-builder exemption presents itself in very interesting ways. It’s an issue that could potentially affect sellers, buyers, agents, landlords and tenants alike. Remember, the State provides an exemption for an owner-occupant who wants to be their own contractor. Briefly, HRS 444-9.1 provides that a home built with an owner-builder exemption/
permit may not be sold or leased for a year following the final inspection (or from a verifiable date when the home was completed). Multiple owner-builder permits should not be issued concurrently. Selling prior to the one-year statutory requirement may result in a fine of $5000 or 40% of the value of the home for the first offense and up to $10,000 or 50% of the market value for subsequent offenses. Fines may be assessed against the seller and any REALTORS® involved.
The law is very clear on this point. If sold prior one year, REALTORS® could be fined for of aiding and abetting an unlicensed contractor. They could even face license revocation. Although not specifically stated, a buyer might also find themselves included in an investigation by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Prior to 2010, the law was silent about situations where a hardship or mitigating circumstances forced early sale. It was also not specific as to property sold prior to the final inspection or properties without permits. Any property sold prior to the one-year anniversary with an owner-builder exemption (exempt from using a contractor) falls under the provisions of the statute. In a busy market, it’s not uncommon to find non- compliant homes for sale. The intent of the law is to avoid unlicensed work but without exceptions built into the law, an already unfortunate situation (illness or death for instance) could be easily exacerbated. DCCA is required to investigate every complaint but the statute now provides a vehicle for a distressed owner to request an exemption prior to selling.
Permit amounts under $10,000 are automatically exempt. Sellers should keep in mind that listing an owner-builder property without an exemption (if you can find an agent brave enough to do so) will result in extremely diminished showing interest. Issues related to un-permitted structures or areas are always foggy. Because permitting problems are so common, it is best to keep in mind that the intent of the statute is to deter unlicensed activity. It would certainly not be a stretch to assume that its penalties could apply to all parties involved. The owner-builder statute is not meant to be a vehicle to generate a complaint about every permit inconsistency. There are numerous reasons a permit record might be incorrect. If you need a permit correction in order to facilitate a sale, remember, owner-builder provisions apply. Ask your agent for advice in this matter. Most do a good job in helping explain the requirements. Verifying and correcting permits ahead of time provides everyone involved with peace of mind. Happy Permitting!
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