A high-stakes Hawaii real estate dispute has erupted involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo. Developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto accuse the two of forcing them out of a $240 million luxury housing project. The dispute centers on The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, a prime development on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast. Hayes and Matsumoto say they brought Ohtani into the venture for his promotional and branding power. They claim his presence was meant to boost sales in Japan’s luxury vacation home market.
The plaintiffs say Balelo began making escalating demands soon after joining the project. Hayes and Matsumoto insist these demands eroded their position in the deal. They state that Balelo threatened to remove Ohtani unless they met his conditions. They accuse Ohtani and Balelo of using celebrity influence to disrupt the venture for personal gain. Their lawsuit claims these actions damaged years of planning and investment.
In addition, the plaintiffs allege that Ohtani’s team targeted their involvement in a neighboring development. The Hawaii real estate dispute grew when Kingsbarn Realty Capital, their business partner, began following Balelo’s requests. Hayes and Matsumoto argue that Kingsbarn valued its relationship with Ohtani over honoring agreements with them. They believe this shift in loyalty broke the foundation of trust between the partners.
Last month, Kingsbarn removed Hayes and Matsumoto from the project during what the plaintiffs call a coordinated move. They report that Kingsbarn directly told them Balelo demanded their termination. Hayes and Matsumoto estimate they now face losses worth millions in profits, construction management fees, and sales commissions. They also emphasize that they spent over a decade building the project.
Marketing materials featured Ohtani as “Japan’s Babe Ruth” and the first resident of the development. The campaign highlighted his plan to buy one of the 14 homes and build a private training facility. However, the plaintiffs say this endorsement was central to their strategy to drive demand and international exposure. They argue that removing them undermined a proven plan for success.
In conclusion, Hayes and Matsumoto describe the situation as an abuse of celebrity power in business. They stress that contracts and fair dealing must apply equally to all parties. Through the lawsuit, they aim to hold Ohtani and Balelo accountable for their decisions. The Hawaii real estate dispute now risks overshadowing a development intended to stand as a flagship luxury project in the Pacific.
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