My name is Kimberly Arelliano, and I’m a homeowner at Northbrook-Melemanu Woodlands in Mililani, Hawaiʻi. I’m reaching out on behalf of our homeowners alliance because we are in an escalating dispute with our HOA board and management company over access to association records and the costs being imposed for requesting them.

Homeowners have raised serious concerns about transparency, major spending decisions, and ongoing increases that directly impact our homes and finances. To better understand what is happening, I submitted written requests for association records that homeowners are generally entitled to review under Hawaiʻi condominium law. I worked hard to keep requests within legal limits and to communicate clearly and respectfully throughout the process. When I reached the limit as an individual requester, other owners submitted targeted requests for specific documents.

Since July 2025, we have been in ongoing back-and-forth regarding records access and responses. We have received only partial records, been told certain documents could not be provided because the association is not required to maintain certain records, and been advised that some records are missing. More recently, homeowners were informed that my records requests allegedly resulted in substantial legal fees, and I have been told the Association intends to charge me significant administrative costs and requires mandatory mediation.

This has been overwhelming and isolating—but I know I’m not alone. Many homeowners want the same basic thing: transparency, equal treatment, and accountable governance. We are raising funds to retain legal counsel to help us navigate mediation, protect homeowners’ rights, and push for a fair, lawful process moving forward.

What your support will fund

• Legal counsel/retainer and mediation support (including records-access compliance and what is still missing)

• Certified CPA/auditor review of financial records once obtained (to identify discrepancies/red flags)

• If serious discrepancies are found, additional legal support as needed to pursue appropriate remedies and accountability

• Alliance out-of-pocket costs (printing, postage, meeting materials, basic admin)

Our goal

Our vision is a community where homeowners have timely access to association records, fair decision-making, and accountable governance—so major spending decisions and fee increases are supported by clear, verifiable documentation.

We also want the Alliance to continue educating both new and long-time owners, keeping ongoing awareness of HOA governance, and encouraging owners to stay engaged—asking questions, requesting records when appropriate, and participating in meetings and elections. Our aim is a culture where accountability is ongoing and transparency is a baseline expectation, not an exception.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us take the next step toward transparency and fairness. If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser is meaningful support.

Mahalo for standing with our community.

— Kimberly “Kimi” Arelliano