HI HB890

Establishes an Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to serve as a neutral resource for dispute resolution, complaint investigation, and ensuring compliance with condominium laws and governing documents

Requires the ombudsman to be a licensed attorney with extensive experience in Hawaii real estate, condominium law, and dispute resolution, with authority to subpoena witnesses, compel document production, and remove board members for willful misconduct

Creates a mandatory dispute intervention and resolution process through the ombudsman's office as an alternative to mediation and arbitration, with filing fees capped at $100 and participation required by all parties including association boards

Increases the condominium education trust fund fee from $1.50 to $12.50 per unit annually (totaling $25 per unit biennially) to fund the ombudsman's office, mediation, and arbitration services

Prohibits associations from assessing legal fees against individual unit owners for responding to owner inquiries, complaints, or dispute resolution requests, and bars special assessments related to disputes until the ombudsman issues a final decision