Like many people in Hawaiʻi, I live in a condominium community that’s managed by a volunteer board of directors. They’re our neighbors — regular people trying to do their best. The board meets, votes are taken, the majority wins, and decisions move forward.

That’s how it’s supposed to work. But over time, I’ve learned that majority rule isn’t always right. When the majority votes for something that breaks the law, ignores professional advice, or delays critical repairs, that’s not democracy — that’s dysfunction.

‘Speak With One Voice’ — Or Stay Silent?

When directors are afraid to speak up, the community loses vital checks and balances. Honest disagreement isn’t the problem; silence is. And when problems are hidden, small issues grow into costly ones.

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Deferred Maintenance: A Statewide Issue

Across Hawaiʻi, many condo buildings are showing their age. Leaking pipes, aging elevators, cracked concrete, and outdated wiring are becoming all too common.

Professional Reserve Studies are supposed to be our roadmap — a plan for repairing and funding building components before they fail. Yet too often, boards treat them as optional. Repairs are postponed, timelines stretched, and costs pushed to the next group of owners.

The Legislature, the Real Estate Commission, and groups like the Community Associations Institute have long recognized this statewide backlog of deferred maintenance. But the pattern continues: kick the can down the road, then scramble when systems fail.

Majority Rule Is Not Just a Number

Here’s something every condo owner should know: majority rule is not just about numbers.

A vote only has real authority when it’s made within the framework of the law and the association’s governing documents. Without that framework, even a unanimous vote can be wrong. When a board acts outside those boundaries, it fails its fiduciary duty — the obligation to act in the best interest of all owners.

Majority rule works only when grounded in compliance, responsibility, and transparency. Numbers alone don’t make a decision legitimate — the law does.

The Real Fix: Mandatory Education

Condominium law is complex. Directors are expected to understand HRS 514B, city permits, safety codes, insurance requirements, and financial planning. Most are volunteers with little or no training, yet they’re responsible for millions of dollars in shared property.

That’s why education should be mandatory. Hawaiʻi already has a solution: the Condominium Education Trust Fund, managed by the Real Estate Commission, which funds courses and training for board members. But right now, participation is voluntary — and many directors never attend.

Every board member should complete basic training in condominium governance within their first year. Presidents, who lead meetings and set agendas, should take advanced courses in fiduciary duty, reserve planning, and legal compliance. Educated boards make better decisions — and reduce conflict, confusion, and costly mistakes.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Advocates are working toward new legislation for 2026 that would strengthen Reserve Study enforcement, protect minority directors from retaliation, and require board education. These changes would help ensure that decisions are based on knowledge and accountability, not politics or pressure.

A Call for Common Sense and Integrity

Condominiums are more than buildings — they’re communities where families grow, retirees relax, and neighbors share their lives. We deserve boards that understand their responsibilities, respect professional guidance, and communicate openly.

Speaking with “one voice” should never mean ignoring the law or silencing dissent. Majority rule only works when decisions are made within the law and governing documents. That’s where real leadership — and real integrity — begin.

If Hawaiʻi’s condominiums are to remain safe, affordable, and sustainable, education, transparency, and accountability must come first. As owners, we have the right to expect more than votes. We have the right to expect wisdom.