When must a unit owner, including the developer, start paying the maintenance fee in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a unit owner, including the developer, starts paying the maintenance fee when the Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) is issued. The issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy signifies that a building is ready for occupancy, meaning the unit has reached a point where it can serve its intended purpose and residents can move in. This is a crucial milestone that indicates the property is complete and operational.

At this stage, it is expected that the upkeep and operational costs associated with the property will begin to incur, hence the payment of maintenance fees starts. This fee helps cover the costs associated with maintaining common elements of the property, ensuring that everything remains in good condition for the benefit of all unit owners.

The other choices reflect important events in the process of property development and ownership, such as the approval of a public report or the election of a board of directors, but these do not trigger the obligation to pay maintenance fees. The requirement to pay fees aligns with the physical readiness of the property, established by the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.