Charting the Correct Course
NEWS & EVENTS
Hawaii First Expands Homeowner Payment Options
October 26, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First announced new options for homeowners to pay maintenance and other association fees.
- i. The option to schedule payments on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
- ii. The ability to manage payment and property information through their personal homeowner profile.
- iii. Access to transactions for up to 13 months when the homeowner creates a user profile.
- iv. Real-time credit card payments (subject to processing fees).
Hawaii First Rental Department is Operating at Full Speed
October 26, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First now provides homeowners with an option to rent property. Hawaii First experienced rental department can assist homeowners with the rental of their property with lower fees. Associations can use Hawaii First for the rental of property acquired thru a non judicial foreclosure to quickly get rental income to offset lost maintenance fees. Our experiences rental team will provide professional reliable services.
Hawaii First Welcomes New Accounts
October 26, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First is pleased that our flotilla now includes great projects such as Academy Tower, Honokeana Cove (Maui), and Puaae CPR.
President Appointed to State Association
July 15, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First President, Richard Emery, has been appointed Education Chair for the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians (HSAP). HSAP teaches the philosophy and principles underlying the rules of deliberative assemblies. Emery will lead the committee and work to define the educational programs provided to members. Steve Glanstein, past HSAP president, says everyone is excited to have Emery, a long-time supporter of the local chapter, in this important role. "He will provide a fresh perspective that will enable the state association to provide quality education to its members." In 2010, all Hawaii First's association property managers passed the membership exam for the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP).
New Maui Offices
July 14, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First now has two convenient locations on Maui. The new Wailuku office at 24 North Church Street will serve as primary office, allowing expansion to serve all of Maui. Both offices offer expanded services to associations, including meeting space. The Lahaina office moved to the Wainee Professional building at 727 Wainee Street. Hawaii First is proud to deliver convenient, professional services throughout Maui.
Hawaii First, an Associa® Company, Expands with Rental Property Management
July 1, 2011By: Hawaii First
HONOLULU, July 1, 2011 - Hawaii First, an Associa Company, acquires PWI Real Estate. For over 25 years PWI has managed community associations and rental properties in Hawaii. This acquisition will expand Hawaii First by adding an additional 16 community associations and 49 rental units.
PWI is a full-service community management company serving the island of Oahu. Peter Wargo founded PWI in 1984 in Mililani. Mr. Wargo retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Colonel. He will continue to serve his associations as a property manager for Hawaii First. "My decision to join forces with Hawaii First was made clear with the ability to provide my customers with enhanced services and resources," PWI President Wargo said. "Hawaii First's friendly, highly trained staff and use of cutting-edge technology will benefit our association members by bringing added value to the services we offer." The transition from PWI to Hawaii First begins on July 1, with the transfer, over several months, of administrative functions. The PWI office will remain open in the Mililani Shopping Center.
Hawaii First President Richard Emery welcomed longtime friend Peter Wargo and PWI to the team. "We're excited to have Peter and PWI join our family. His more than 30 years of experience and expertise of working with homeowners, as well as his generous support of local nonprofits and charities, fit Hawaii First's vision to be industry leaders."
A Better Business Bureau accredited business, Hawaii First Community Association Management is headquartered in Honolulu and has branch offices in Lahaina, Wailuku and Hilo.
Hawaii First, an Associa company since 2011, was founded in 1997. Hawaii First is a full-service management company and one of the state's largest association management firms. It offers fiduciary management and technical expertise to its clients on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and The Big Island of Hawaii.
Associa is the nation's leader in community association management and serves its clients with local knowledge, national resources and comprehensive expertise. Based in Dallas, Associa and its 8,000 employees operate more than 100 branch offices in the United States and Mexico. To learn more about Associa go to www.associaonline.com.
Hawaii First Honored
May 16, 2011By: Hawaii First
A Great American: President Richard Emery had the honor to have diner with Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Veteran Affairs and Hawaii Representative Mark K. Takai. Ms. Duckworth was appointed by President Obama and was a prime time speaker at the Democratic Convention. She served previously in Iraq as a helicopter pilot where she lost both legs and partial use of one arm in combat. “It was a great honor to meet this great American who continues to serve her country valiantly and courageously. She is a true inspiration to everyone” stated Hawaii First President Richard Emery.
Welcome Aboard: Hawaii First welcomes to its flotilla of clients Liona Kona, Academy Tower, 417 Namahana, and Alii Plantation. Weather Forecast: Calm Seas, Pleasant Sailing!
The Best Crew Just Keeps Getting Better
May 6, 2011By: Hawaii First
CLEAN SWEEP! Hawaii First Property Managers Jonathan Billings, Jenny Foumai, Sasha Tsuda, Brenda Agbayani, and Leo Tom have all successfully completed the Professional Community Managers Course M-203 Community Leadership toward their Professional Community Association Manager® (PCAM®) designation sponsored by the nationally recognized Community Association Institute (CAI). ALL Hawaii First Property Managers who do not already have the PCAM® designation are actively pursuing the necessary qualifications to attain this highest and most coveted credential in Condominium Association Property Management.
New Crew Members and New Appointments at Hawaii First
April 26, 2011By: Hawaii First
Accounting Promotions: Sherwin Gasmen has been appointed to Accounting Manager and Rosemarie Moises as Junior Accountant in recognition of their excellence and hard work. Sherwin will manage the A/R, A/P, and human resource/payroll departments.
New Kauai Regional Manager: Jonathan Mosqueda has been appointed to Kauai Regional Manager. Jonathan has earned the Certified Manager of Community Associations® (CMCA®) and the Accredited Management Specialist® (AMS®) designations from the Community Association Institute
New Crew Members: Hawaii First expends its accounting crew with three new members. Cathy Hankins has joined Hawaii First as the Controller for Client Accounting. Cathy is a graduate of Kamehameha High School and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in Accounting. She has over 30 years experience in Retail Sales Accounting, Accounting Management, and International Consulting, including Community Association Accounting. New Accountants Beata Patricio and Elizabeth Mendoza also joined Hawaii First as project accountants and come with years of association accounting experience.
Welcome Aboard
April 26, 2011By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First welcomes Beachside Apartments Inc. as its newest Waikiki association client.
Hawaii First Swings in to Help the Rotary Club
April 25, 2011By: Hawaii First
HFI was a major sponsor for Metropolitan Rotary's Swing City that helps raise funds for Hale Kipa. HFI also supports Hale Kipa through its annual Christmas turkey dinner program that provides meals for less fortunate families. With a range of services for at-risk/high-risk youth, Hale Kipa improves the lives of youth through shelter and support, commitment and advocacy at more than 20 locations on 4 islands. The event includes a silent auction where vendors such as airlines, hotels, fine artists, and executive chefs donate items where the auction proceeds help Hale Kipa. The hottest item and the largest fund raiser was President Richard Emery's donation to cook an Italian dinner for 8 persons at his home. Two bidders fought and in the end each agreed to pay $1,500 for the experience, almost double the amount bid for an exclusive dinner prepared by a local renowned Executive Chef. President Richard’s hobby is gourmet cooking where he prepares the entire meal from scratch.
Hawaii First Protects Your Data
February 9, 2011 By: Hawaii First
President Richard Emery was admitted to trusted membership to InfraGard. InfraGard is a private network of government and private sector individuals, focused on protection of Internet infrastructure and is administered by the FBI. With more than one billion people around the world using the Internet, threats to our infrastructure become a part of our daily lives. Hawaii First’s protection of client information is of critical importance. Membership provides Hawaii First with timely threat advisories, alerts and warnings and joins Hawaii First in the FBI’s effort to protect our national infrastructure.
Hawaii First Joins Associa Family of Companies - Local Community Management Company Acquired by Nation's Industry Leader
February 2, 2011 By: Hawaii First
HONOLULU (Feb. 2, 2011) – Hawaii First
"By joining the Associa family of companies, Hawaii First will enhance the services we currently provide to our clients," said Hawaii First President Richard Emery. "Our community associations will continue to work with our local management team, now backed with Associa's national resources, including educational programs, emerging technologies and professional training."
Hawaii First has 35 employees and counts 135 community associations as clients, including Wailana at Waikiki and 909 Kapiolani. In addition to its core services, Hawaii First offers experience in fiduciary management and technical expertise to its clients.
"Strengthening Associa's position in the Hawaiian Islands was a natural progression," said Associa CEO John Carona. "Hawaii First's employees bring many years of community management experience and their level of dedication will greatly complement the services we already provide to homeowners in Hawaii."
The acquisition strengthens Associa's size and breadth of services in Hawaii. Associa also owns Honolulu-based Certified Management, Inc
A Better Business Bureau accredited business, Hawaii First is headquartered in Honolulu and has branch offices in Lahaina and Hilo. Since 1997, its sole focus has been to deliver performance that enriches communities and enhances the lives of the people it serves. To learn more, visit www.hawaiifirst.com
Building successful communities for more than 30 years, Associa is the leader in community association management and serves its clients with local knowledge, national resources and comprehensive expertise. Based in Dallas, Associa and its 8,000 employees operate more than 100 branch offices in the United States and Mexico. To learn more about Associa and its charitable organization, Associa Cares, go to www.associaonline.com and www.associacares.com
Related Stories:
Hawaii Association Management Firm Acquired - Star-Advertiser Staff
Associa Acquires Hawaii First - Pacific Business News
Bill Spotts Promoted to Senior Vice President
February 1, 2011 By: Hawaii First
Hawaii First is pleased to announce that Bill Spotts has been promoted to Senior Vice President. Bill holds the coveted CMCA, AMS, and PCAM designations from Community Associations Institute. See more information on Bill and our Executive Team.
More Associations Chart the Correct Course
January 26, 2011 By: Hawaii First
All Hands on Deck! The New Year began with Maui Vista, The Promenade, and Piikoi Terrace appointing Hawaii First as its new management company. Welcome Aboard. Weather Forecast – Smooth Sailing.
