Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find a list of commonly
asked Questions and their Answers. If you don't find your
answer here please call us at 623-7300
or
send an Email.
Q: I want to dry my clothes on a clothesline instead of the dryer
and save some
money on my electric bill. Do I need approval for this from the
Association?
A: Yes, Approval from the Design Committee is required for adding
anything to the
exterior of your residence. A clothesline may only be erected in an
enclosed drying shed
that covers the lines and the clothing from view of the street and
neighboring residence.
Q: I want to put up a gazebo-like tent in my back yard.
Can I do
this?
A: According to the governing documents (the DCCR’s) No house
trailer, mobile home,
permanent tent or similar facility or structure shall be kept,
placed or maintained upon
any lot at any time.
You may add an umbrella to your back yard. This would be the type
with a single pole
and a retractable canopy.
Q: What do I do if I see wild chickens/animals running around my
yard?
A:
Call the Hawaiian Humane Society, 946-2187, ext. 285. They have
traps available
to capture stray chickens.
Q.I would like to replace the asphalt carport floor with concrete.
Do I need a
permit?
A. Yes a permit is necessary from MTA. Please submit an application
and a plot plan
showing the limits of the concrete pour.
Q. I would like to paint each area on the house but I do not know
what the areas are
called on the form? What is an eave, trim, wall?
A. The eave is the underside of the roofing overhang. The wall is
the main house color.
The trim is a board surrounding the windows. Each area painted needs
a 2" x 2" sample
of the color being applied to be submitted with the application.
Q. I would like to replace my existing mailbox with a locking
mailbox. Do I need a
permit?
A. No. A permit from MTA is not required since the mailbox is
governed by the Post
Office. You might contact them regarding the allowable requirements
of the box itself.
Q. I wanted to tint my windows. I was trying to find out if I need
to get approval for
that.
A. Yes a window-tinting permit from MTA is necessary. This is a "No
fee item".
Q. I would like to enclose my garage and I was just wondering what
the process is
for the approval of the enclosure. What kind of designs do I have to
submit, and
how long does the process take?
A. The process starts by filing out the yellow Design Application
Form and submitting
two copies of the blueprints. The blueprints include a plot plan and
exterior building
elevations. All labels and drawing notes shall reflect and indicate
the scope of work. All
fees shall be paid upon application submission. After the review is
complete, you will be
notified to return to the Administration office to pick up your
packet of blueprints and a
Design Permit if an approval was granted. The approved drawings
should then proceed
to the City and County
of Honolulu for
a building permit. Once all approvals are
completed, check the Design Permit and the approval letter for an
expiration date. This
indicates the length of time you have to complete your project.
MTA’s Design Specialist
will be happy to answer any concerns you might have on this process.
Q. What are the guidelines for installing an air conditioner?
A. Determine where you plan to put the air conditioner unit.
·
Complete a Design Committee Application Form and make a copy of your
plot plan marking the area where your unit will be.
·
Submit your completed documents to the MTA Administration Office for
approval by the Design Specialist.
·
Once the review process is complete, you will be notified to pick up
your
completed documents and installation can begin.
If the air conditioner will be visible from the street or adjacent
property, the entire unit
including any wood trims or framing must be painted so that it will
blend in with the rest
of the residence. Bare metal or conspicuous filter elements may not
be exposed to view.
If the design of the installed air conditioner is such that filter
elements may not be
painted, the owner is responsible for providing a design acceptable
to the Design
Committee to screen or otherwise enclose the air conditioner in such
a manner that it may
be painted to blend with the mounting surface.
The homeowner is responsible for insuring the quiet operation of the
equipment. Should
the MTA Covenants Specialist or the City and County Inspector
determine that the unit
operates at an excessively noisy level, the homeowner may be
required to remove the
unit.
Q: Where do I get an MTA ID card?
A: Stop in at Recreation Center III at
95-281 Kaloapau St.
A 1 yr. Membership card costs $6.50; 2 yr. Membership card: $11.50;
3 yr.
Membership card costs $16.50. Renters are entitled to a 1 yr
membership renewable
yearly and 3 month Guest Cards are available for $6.50
Q: Where can I check my paint sample to see if it is an approved
color?
A: Stop by our Administration Office at
95-303 Kaloapau St or Recreation Center
III next
door.
Q: My name should appear on our deed since my husband and I got
married. Can't you correct that for us?”
A: When you purchased your home, the name or names on the deed must
be recorded at
the Bureau of Conveyances. From that time on, the name(s) remain the
same until a
change is submitted and recorded with the Bureau of Conveyances. If
you marry an
owner, you do not automatically become party to the deed, no matter
who tells you that.
The owner must file and record the name change and pay the fee to do
so. Within a few
weeks, the change is then processed to MTA as the keepers of the
owner’s list. Please
be sure to verify that the name change is not only submitted, but
recorded. The
Association works strictly with the owner(s) of record and must
honor the names of the
owner(s) on the deed. If your status has changed and there is no
change of name
recorded, we must continue to work with the recorded owner if your
name does not
appear on the deed. You can call the state of Hawaii Bureau of
Conveyances at 587-0134 to start the process of changing your deed.
Just remember, any and all name changes
must be recorded.
Q: What should we do if we plan to rent our house and move to
another community?
A: If you plan to rent and remain on this
Island, you need to notify the Association in
writing, noting your new address and daytime phone number. Should
anything happen at
the property, we must notify you about it and take appropriate
action to correct the matter.
Of course, you will want to know what is happening to your property
if you don’t often
inspect it, and we will keep you informed should covenants issues
require
your attention.
Should you plan to rent and move off-island for more than 30 days,
you must by law
notify the Association in writing of your new address and phone
number, and also inform
us who will manage your property in your absence. You must also
include contact
numbers for that person or company for the
same reason stated above. Sad to say, not all rentals turn out well.
We have seen homes
abandoned by tenants who leave a terrible mess for the absentee
owner. To avoid that, it
is best to keep in touch with our office by phone or e-mail and let
us know if your
situation changes. We will continue to work on your behalf.
Q: How long can I leave my holiday lights up?
A: Holiday lights may be applied to your home no sooner than
30 days before the event
and removed within 15 days after the event. This means that by
January 15, 2005 the
holiday lights must be removed.
Q: Do you know of any place that we can get the building plans or
plot plans of our home.
We are looking into doing some remodeling.
A: Should you need the full plans of your home, please contact the City & County Building
of
Honolulu Records Department. They will have a copy of your original
home plans.
Q. I know I have to submit two copies for my plan and approval, what
I would like
to know is do I get any copies back, because I only have 3 and I
need 3 to take over
to the building department and permit?
A: MTA will keep 1 of the two sets you submit to us for our records
and give you 1 set
back that is stamped with the approval of the Design Committee. You
will need to take
this to the Building Department.
Q: Do I need an MTA permit to fill in the planting strip in front of
the sidewalk?
A: The curb-line planting strip is owned by the City and County.
Please check with them
for adding any other type of material besides landscaping to this
area.
Q: I am a Mililani Mauka homeowner I want to apply for a permit, I
have a
question about the design committee application form. To whom should
the
application be addressed to? Where do I send it?
A: The Design Committee Application Form is found at the
Administration Office or Rec
Center 3. The completed form with the necessary documentation may be
turned into the
same areas. You may mail this in attention: Design Committee or drop
your forms off at
the Administration office or Rec Center 3 after normal business
hours.
Q: How long do I have to wait to get a permit?
A: Up to but no more than 30 days.
Q: What is the process if my permit is denied?
A: If the permit is denied, the Design Department will send you a
letter detailing the
reasons for the denial. The homeowner is expected to correct the
discrepancies, and then
resubmit the application form.
Q: What happens if I make an improvement and don’t obtain a permit?
A: The improvement is in violation of Design Committee Rules.
Letters will be sent by
the Covenants Department until the violation is resolved.
