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.
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.