Makaha Valley Plantation Community Newsletter – November 2023 Edition
Aloha to all our residents of Makaha Valley Plantation – both new and long-standing members of our vibrant community! As we embrace the beautiful month of November, we’re excited to share with you some important updates and friendly reminders in our monthly newsletter. Mahalo for taking the time to stay informed and connected with our community happenings!
Progress on Hot Water System Upgrades
MVP has engaged in discussions with a vendor, coordinated by Hawaii Unified, to provide a solar thermal system and replace our heat pumps. They’ve posed several important questions to help us appropriately size the system for both the current and future needs of the complex. MVP houses a diverse range of homeowners, each with unique usage demands. While some units are occupied only a few months annually, others house relatively large families living year-round. One key aspect we need to determine is the amount of hot water consumed in the complex. Currently, we monitor overall water usage without distinguishing between hot and cold water consumption. Understanding whether usage is seasonal is another aspect we aim to clarify to offer accurate and useful feedback.
Regarding the solar thermal system, we’ve learned that it cannot be integrated with the heat pumps but can operate in tandem with them. This necessitates adding more tanks to the washhouses, and we are currently discussing potential locations for these additions. The advantage of the solar thermal system is its ability to reduce reliance on our electrically powered heat pumps, as it’s primarily solar-driven.
As for the heat pumps, we are in the process of sourcing them and are awaiting a quote detailing the cost to the investor and the timeline for delivery and installation. Rest assured, we will provide further information on these developments in the coming months.
Washer and Dryer Update
In April, our new agreement with WASH came into effect, bringing notable changes to MVP. One significant shift is in the revenue we receive to offset the expenses of providing utilities for the laundry equipment. Previously at 40%, our share has now increased to 63.85%. This boost in revenue will help in managing our communal utilities more effectively.
The new laundry equipment has been ordered and is scheduled for installation in January 2024. Until the upgraded machines are in place, we will continue charging $1.75 per load for washing or drying. Once the new equipment is installed, the cost per load will rise to $2.00. This increase is necessary to align with the enhanced capabilities and efficiencies of the new equipment.
Our initial hope was for an earlier delivery and installation date. However, we’ve encountered delays due to broader supply chain issues, including chip shortages and heightened demand on the manufacturer. These external factors have inevitably affected our timeline.
We’re excited about the prospect of more efficient laundry facilities and believe this will greatly benefit our community. We look forward to sharing more updates in the upcoming months.
Update on PV System and Charging Stations
MVP has been actively engaging with Holu Hou Energy and Hawaii Energy to explore viable solutions for providing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Built between 1974-1976, our complex wasn’t designed for the electrical demands we encounter today, particularly for EV charging. Upgrading our electrical infrastructure is essential for this endeavor, and we’re gathering data to inform our planning and make incremental improvements.
Economic considerations are also at the forefront. Equipping each unit with a charging station outlet is a costly venture, and the potential return on investment is uncertain. To gauge interest, we plan to conduct surveys. Our diverse community includes senior citizens, young professionals working remotely, investors owning most units, and some residents on government assistance. Their interest in EV charging stations varies, so these surveys will be crucial in our decision-making process.
One proposal involves setting up public charging stations, which is why we’re in discussions with Hawaii Energy, a government organization that could assist us in this setup. The plan is to start with a few stations for use by homeowners and guests. However, finding suitable locations for these stations is challenging, given our limited parking space and the need for equitable access across the complex.
Regulating station use is another topic under consideration. Proposals include increasing charging rates after a certain period to encourage turnover or having the system shut off and become unavailable to the same user ID until the next day. Implementing a sign-up sheet was also suggested, but this would require significant monitoring.
Holu Hou Energy is also liaising with HECO to obtain schematics and data for the system integration. We’ll provide more details on this progress in our upcoming newsletters.
Living with Aloha by the Pool
We cherish the harmony and respect that define our community at Makaha Valley Plantation. Recently, however, there have been incidents of vandalism and harassment around our pool area. We kindly remind everyone to abide by the pool rules to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all. Familiarize yourself with the house rules available at makahavalleyplantation.org/forms/. Let’s work together to avoid the necessity for citations and fines. Remember, living together means living with Aloha.
Your Voice in Our Community – Election Bylaws Amendment
We are in the critical final two weeks of voting on our Election Bylaws amendment. Achieving the 66% threshold required to change our bylaws is essential for ensuring our Board of Directors accurately represents our diverse community. This amendment will facilitate easier election and re-election processes for board members. If you haven’t cast your vote yet, please do so as soon as possible by contacting the front office. Your participation is vital for our community’s progress.
Responsible Trash Disposal
A friendly reminder to all MVP residents: our communal garbage bins are not intended for bulky items like furniture. Disposing of such items improperly not only violates community guidelines but also incurs additional costs for the association – a cost shared by all. Please be considerate and dispose of large items responsibly to help keep our community clean and our expenses in check.
Maintenance Fee Update
We would like to inform our residents about an upcoming change to the maintenance fees. Despite our best efforts to maintain the fees at their current level, the realities of inflation and rising insurance costs have made an increase unavoidable. The Board of Directors has worked tirelessly to minimize the impact of this. We encourage all residents to review the updated budget carefully and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenging economic times together.
As we conclude this edition of our newsletter, we want to extend a heartfelt Mahalo to everyone in our community for your ongoing support and cooperation. Remember, the strength of Makaha Valley Plantation lies in our collective effort to maintain a welcoming, respectful, and vibrant community. Should you have any questions or need assistance, the MVP Board of Directors is always here to help.
Mahalo from the MVP Board of Directors!