Rebuilding a Dream

Home ownership is something that we all dream about. We work hard, save money, pay our bills on time and hope for loan approval on that dream house. For several families in Kapolei last year, their dream turned into a nightmare in a matter of minutes.

While many watched helplessly, four families saw their dream go up in flames. The fire ravaged two units completely and forced three families out of their homes. Damages were extensive, but with the quick response of HFD, the situation was quickly controlled.

Within minutes of the call, I arrived onsite and watched as family members returned from work, having been notified by their neighbors that they needed to come home. The sadness loomed as heavy as the smoke filled air. I tried to remain the professional and give the information and answers they were looking for, but my heart ached. I couldn’t hide the tears while trying to console an owner who was shedding hers also.

With the help of the Red Cross and an excellent and compassionate reconstruction team, we welcomed everyone back to their home before the holidays and shared our aloha with a potluck event.

Unfortunately, none of the families affected had their own insurance. That means that everything they lost, they must replace. The association’s insurance paid to restore the units to the condition they were in when they were built. Any upgrades over the past nine years by the owners will not be put back, unless they pay for that upgrade while the contractors were rebuilding, All personal items, like clothes, furniture, computers and electronics, were also not covered.

Community association boards of directors should continually urge their members to obtain an HO6 policy for their personal coverage. Renters should also buy a renter’s insurance policy. Both can be purchased from most insurance companies for a reasonable cost. Be insured – you can’t afford not to be covered.

In the event of a fire :

• Call the insurance agent immediately
  
  
• Provide all contact information for all parties involved
  
  
• Exchange business cards with professionals on scene and get info from affected owners on any cell phone numbers, emergency contact numbers and forwarding addresses for their temporary residences if they know where they will be staying; give your contact info so they can keep you informed if any of this info changes
  
  
• The manager should send out periodic notices about the importance of updating information on work numbers, cell phone numbers and contacts. Do not underestimate the importance of this data being available to the management company.
  
  
• Obtain the fire department report once available – it takes 2-3 months
  
  
• Provide frequent updates from construction staff for owners
  
  
• Be sure that clean up of debris begins within 24 - 48 hours
  
  
• Clean out the refrigerators since utilities will be shut off to the damaged units
  
  
• Ensure that refuse bins used to remove construction debris have lids
  
  
• Close off the area as soon as owners are able to remove their personal items; for safety reasons, allow only the construction personnel beyond the barriers
  
  
• Obtain the help of the Red Cross staff who can provide services for the affected families
  
  
• Keep a log of events
  
  
• Show community support to those affected
  
  
• Get the immediate community and the outside community to help through donations, collections etc.
  

Toni Floerke-Politsch, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®
Chief Operating Officer
Certified Management, Inc.
Oahu, HI