East Oahu residents criticize ‘monster home,’ property owner responds

News admin July 8, 2026 0 Comments

East Oahu residents criticize ‘monster home,’ property owner responds

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – There is growing criticism over construction on a property near Maunalani Heights, with some claiming the owner plans to build a “monster home.”

“It’s been an ongoing issue,” said a woman who lives a door down from the property and did not want to be identified.

A man who declined an interview but lives next door to the property under development on Pakolu Place said construction material has been overflowing onto his property.

But a friend of the family that owns the property argued the other property owner is the one crossing the line.

“We have a property marker here showing where the property line is. The neighbor’s wall is actually on our property by a foot, so I’m not real sure what the neighbor is upset about,” the friend, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said.

The woman said she is concerned renters at the new home could bring more cars to the increasingly crowded neighborhood.

“Renters may not care, coming down, speeding down streets. I have kids, they want to play on the street,” the woman said.

Tensions among neighbors over the property have flared for years. The owner took a video of one of them allegedly trespassing.

In 2022, the city gave the property owner two notices of violation for an unpermitted retaining wall and for falsifying information on building plans.

The owner said the notices have been resolved and they are complying with applicable rules.

“We do have permits that we have posted that we have done everything the city and county has told us to do. So we’re not real sure why they’re upset but, I’m sure there’s something we could do to try to figure this out,” the owner’s friend said.

Neighbors have repeatedly filed complaints with the city in an effort to stop the project.

“We’re here, we see it every day, and it’s frustrating for not only the people in the neighborhood, but it’s going to trickle down to everyone. It’s not going to be our little neighborhood like how we used to have,” the woman said.

The Department of Planning and Permitting told HNN, “A Request for Investigation (RFI) has been created. Inspectors will be sent to the property to investigate the matter further.”