Why It Matters
Hawaii continues to grapple with chronic homelessness, and programs that place formerly homeless tenants with private landlords depend heavily on trust between nonprofits and property owners. When those relationships break down, it can discourage participation and reduce the available housing stock for vulnerable residents. This case from Nānākuli on Oʻahu illustrates the tensions that can emerge when written promises go unfulfilled.
What Happened
Bradford Yamamoto, a 67-year-old Oʻahu native, has owned a two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo in Nānākuli since 1998. He previously rented the unit to Section 8 voucher tenants and agreed in 2022 to participate in a Catholic Charities housing program after a staffer named Garrett Koshiba approached him about placing a tenant named Marquita Pimental.
Koshiba assured Yamamoto that Pimental would be a reliable renter. “He basically convinced me that she’s a good tenant. You know, nice and quiet, and he assured me that they’re going to be good tenants,” Yamamoto said. Pimental had no credit rating and a spotty rental history, but Yamamoto agreed to move forward.
To address his concerns, Catholic Charities added handwritten language to the rental agreement stating it would “support landlord by paying full or partial repair cost to rental unit.” Pimental moved in during March 2022.
Complaints and Eviction
The tenancy quickly grew troubled. The homeowners association logged multiple complaints against Pimental, including garbage left in hallways, improper parking, loud music, disturbing neighbors, and issues related to a dog. Disputes also arose over who was responsible for electric bill payments.
Yamamoto threatened eviction at least twice before the HOA ultimately removed Pimental from the unit in August 2024 — roughly two and a half years after she moved in. Pimental acknowledged in written communication that her dog caused floor damage, though she also maintained the apartment had been in poor condition when she arrived.
Catholic Charities acknowledged that damage occurred during Pimental’s stay but disputed the amount of compensation Yamamoto was seeking. Yamamoto contends the nonprofit’s written pledge to cover repair costs was not honored as he understood it.
By the Numbers
- 28 years — how long Yamamoto has owned the Nānākuli condo (since 1998)
- March 2022 — month Pimental moved in
- August 2024 — month of HOA-initiated eviction
- At least 2 — number of eviction threats issued by Yamamoto before the HOA acted
- Multiple — HOA complaints documented, spanning noise, pets, parking, and waste disposal
Zoom Out
Programs that incentivize private landlords to rent to formerly homeless individuals operate across multiple states, and Hawaii has invested significantly in such approaches given its persistently high homeless population. Recent homeless counts on neighbor islands showed some improvement, though analysts flagged ongoing concerns about housing instability and the pipeline of available units.
The success of these placements often hinges on clear, enforceable agreements between nonprofits and property owners. When disputes over damage, conduct, or costs arise, landlords who feel burned are less likely to participate in future placements — shrinking the pool of willing housing providers at a time when demand remains high.
Pimental, for her part, expressed gratitude for the support she received. “Catholic Charities is amazing. Got me through life when it was hard,” she said.
What’s Next
It is unclear whether Yamamoto has pursued formal legal or arbitration remedies against Catholic Charities over the disputed repair costs. The broader question of how such programs document and enforce landlord commitments may draw increased scrutiny as Hawaii seeks to expand housing options for its homeless population. Economists who study Hawaii’s housing market have noted that landlord confidence is a key variable in whether subsidized placement programs can scale effectively.