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A Waipahu businessman was charged by the Attorney General’s Office on Thursday with two counts of first-degree unlicensed contractor fraud and one count of second-degree unlicensed contractor fraud.
The Attorney General’s Office said that Christopher Vaenuku in 2011 and 2012 agreed to do work on three homes in the Kapolei area without having the required contractor’s licenses. Allegedly, the work was never completed and homeowners did not get their money back.
The maximum penalty for first-degree unlicensed contractor fraud is 10 years of imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. The maximum penalty for second-degree unlicensed contractor fraud is five years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
In 2011, Vaenuku was fined $2,500 and prohibited from engaging in the business of a contractor until he obtained a license, according to court records.
Correction: According to Circuit Court records this person’s last name has been misspelled in this article. His name is Christopher T. VAENUKU.
Spelled correctly in the last paragraph. One out of two is pretty good for this rag.
When you hire a contractor shouldn’t you ask to see his license and also go with referrals from past clients (usually someone you know and trust)?
Yes, we should but who asks to see a contractor’s license. Referrals are important and everyone should do that. We always take a ride to see past jobs and talk to homeowners but they could just be the happy ones. The truth is we just have to take a chance sometimes.
..”who asks to see a contractor’s license”.. Anyone with a BRAIN. Also, ask to see that their INSURANCE is current and active and also their Workmen’s Comp and Liability Insurance, and their ability to provide a “Completion Bond”. If you apply for or use conventional Bank Financing for your project (a remodel/Construction Loan) your Bank won’t make that loan without those provisions in your loan documents. Also, it’s PRUDENT to “Escrow” your money with a Bank or Escrow Agent–where “Draws” are released upon each phase of your remodel or construction project. If the construction project does not meet “Codes” or agreed upon Design–then no money will be released to the Contractor. Initially, you maybe only release 20% of the agreed upon contract price. And, if the Contractor “takes a hike” the Bank will find him, you’ll get your money back, and it’s likely that Contractor will loose his license, fined, and maybe even jailed… Always hold a 2×4 over your okole…
“lose” ((distractions) it’s ALOHA-Friday, it’s Earth Day, Prince, the Queen’s B’day, etc.., and my youngest Daughter arrived in town with her fiance, and everyone telephoning… Heading to “Happy Days” to eat (and I want to see her fiancé’s BANK ACCOUNT BALANCE.) ALOHA!
This is great news. Most states “threaten” unlicensed contractors with a $1,000 find and a, don’t do that again letter, which means nothing.
I hope they make an example out of him.
So what ever happened to the houses that he never finished, he took their money and left, he should be incarcerated and later have him pay back all the money he took.
He’s not a businessman, he’s a crook and should be be in jail. So, where’s the picture, eh?
If inclined, catching illegal and unlicensed contracting activity in Hawaii, is like shooting fish in a barrel, while blind folded.