Hawaii Property Owner Sued Over House Built on Her Land by Mistake.
A construction company has reportedly built a half-million-dollar house on the wrong property in Puna’s Hawaiian Paradise Park, leading to a legal dispute and financial challenges for the rightful landowner.
The lot owner, Annaleine “Anne” Reynolds, purchased the property in a county tax auction for about $22,500, intending to use it for her meditative healing women’s retreats. However, while she was away in California during the pandemic, the lot was mistakenly bulldozed, and a house was constructed on it without her knowledge.
PJ’s Construction was hired by developer Keaau Development Partnership to build homes in the subdivision, where lots are identified by telephone poles. Due to a lack of surveying, the construction was carried out on the wrong property.
Reynolds only became aware of the mistake when a real estate broker informed her that the house had been built on her land. Since then, she has faced numerous challenges, including property taxes, security issues, and the inability to sell the house.
The developers have attempted to settle the issue by offering to swap the lot next door or sell her the house at a discount, but Reynolds has declined both offers.
The situation has escalated into a lawsuit involving the construction company, the architect, the prior property owner’s family, the county that approved the permits, and Reynolds herself. The developers claim they are being reasonable, while Reynolds believes she is being unfairly targeted.
The legal battle continues as all parties seek to resolve the half-million-dollar mistake and its repercussions.