Kealakekua real estate agent loses license; others fined by DCCA

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

HILO — The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on Friday released a list of disciplinary actions filed against people and businesses throughout the state, including four on the Big Island.

The disciplinary actions were filed against individuals and businesses with vocational licenses through August and range from minor fines to permanent revocation of their licenses.

The most severe disciplinary action filed in August was against Kealakekua resident Shellie Ann Ui Grace and Elite Property Management Services. Because of a settlement agreement made Aug. 23, Grace voluntarily surrendered her real estate license and agreed to not seek reinstatement of that license or seek a new one.

According to the DCCA’s Regulated Industries Complaint Office, Grace received 10 complaints between 2010 and 2015 alleging that she and Elite Property Management Services consistently failed to refund money to clients, disclose pertinent information to clients, falsely told clients that general excise taxes had been paid and failed to make proper reports to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission.

The other disciplinary actions filed against Big Island individuals in August only resulted in fines.

Hilo real estate agent Grace Watson was fined $2,000 for consistently answering “no” when asked on real estate license applications whether she had been convicted of a crime. Watson was convicted of contempt of court in 2012, driving without a valid license in 2010 and failure to appear in 2008.

Similarly, contractor Charles Brokenshire was fined $500 for answering “no” on a license renewal application when asked whether he had been convicted of a crime, despite being convicted of a DUI in 2010.

Real estate agent Jodi Talaro also was fined $500 after she self-reported to the Commission that she was convicted of a DUI in 2018.

The disciplinary actions in August follow two filed against Big Island individuals in July.

One of the July disciplinary actions was filed against registered nurse Jill Johnson, who was fined $1,000 for failing to report previous disciplinary actions that were imposed on her by other states’ nursing boards.

She failed to report that her nursing license was revoked in 2010 by the Idaho Board of Nursing and in 2012 by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

The other July action was against real estate agent Jennifer Meyers, who also self-reported a DUI conviction and was fined $500.

Email Michael Brestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.