Lahaina leader warns fire survivors of hiring unlicensed contractors

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Waterman Archie Kalepa is working with state leaders to crack down on unlicensed contractors, particularly those he says are taking advantage of victims of the 2023 Lahaina fire disaster.

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Kalepa said he paid Shane Haas, 39, approximately $200,000 for repairs to his home — work he says was not up to code and was left partially unfinished. Kalepa has since filed a lawsuit against Haas.

‘Your house would have burned down’

Kalepa said he first encountered Haas at a Home Depot, where Haas told him he was a contractor.

“I walked into Home Depot, ran into Shane Haas, and I asked Shane Haas, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘Oh, I’m building homes’ and my first question to him is, ‘Are you a contractor?’ and he said, ‘Yes. I’m a contractor,”’ Kalepa said.

After hiring a licensed electrician to inspect the completed work, Kalepa said the problems were significant.

“Hired my own contractor electrician, and he had to reopen all the walls. Following all the problems, he said your house would have burned down,” said Kalepa.

Attorney responds; prior convictions revealed

Haas’ attorney, Myles Breiner, said Kalepa knew his client was unlicensed and that Kalepa is equally at fault. Breiner said they “intend to vigorously defend this matter.”

Records show Haas has prior convictions for felony theft, harassment and insurance fraud.

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State agency, licensed contractor weigh in

The state’s Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) said it has not received a formal complaint regarding Haas but noted it receives hundreds of similar complaints each year. DCCA is now using Kalepa as a spokesperson to highlight the issue.

Licensed General Contractor Edward Vares, president of Vares Contracting, said one of the most common warning signs is a contractor claiming to work under someone else’s license.

“I think the biggest thing I’ve heard of and have seen ourselves personally in our practice is the phrase, ‘working under someone’s license’ or ‘using someone’s license,’ does not exist whatsoever. That means nothing,” Vares said.

Survivors push for tougher penalties

Lahaina fire survivor Douglas Reynon, 81, said he is also a victim.

“For us kupuna we can take it to a certain point,” Reynon said. “It’s not too good. Not for us.”

Kalepa said he and Reynon are hoping for tougher penalties for those posing as licensed contractors, especially during disasters.

“We’re trying to rebuild our community in a time when we lost it all, and the individuals that lost everything are continuing to lose by people just like this,” Kalepa said.

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