Aloha,
**Adding this: Another scenario is... that this Realtor, is working on behalf of the building "owner"... and the Owner possibly wants to sell the building or YOUR space to another person... BUT, the Owner does not want to renovate the space (ie: your store) himself nor pay for it himself, so he is having the Realtor make "trouble" and telling you your store is not up to code... therefore, YOU have to shell out the costs to improve your store and bring it up to code and renovate... thereby, the Owner does NOT have to pay for it himself. Then once your store is renovated and up to code, they will tell you they are selling the building or your space.... BUT, you have to have a lease or something, right? And this is a contractual legal document.... which should stipulate your and the Owners rules and policies.... look into this as well.
**Here is a link for information on Maui County building inspections and what not. You can call them to find out about your situation and research it, or "appeal" it.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&a....
http://www.co.maui.hi.us/index.asp?NID=1208
Now, what you can also do, on your own, is hire a "Building Inspector" and see IF your store is indeed up to code or not... as this "Realtor" accuses you of. You do NOT have to go according to what this Realtor says.... that is just one opinion... His.
First off, WHO shut down your store???? Is it an official closure of your store, or just the Realtor who MADE you shut down your store under the guise of threats/harassment?
Is this person extorting money from you with these "threats?" Of course, this would be illegal.
The "Realtor" is not a State Of Hawaii "Building Inspector." So, he cannot professionally say that your store is not up to code. He is acting as a "civilian" and not in a professional "building inspector" manner, because he is not one.
OR, is he a LICENSED Building Inspector, who happens to be a Realtor? Some Realtors also work as "Building Inspectors" as a "job" and earn money from it. Here is an example:
http://www.realestateinspector.net/
And the State of Hi Public Works Department:
http://www.hawaii-county.com/directory/dir_pubworks.htm
BUT...IN ORDER TO HAVE OPENED YOUR STORE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A "BUILDING PERMIT" displayed in your store, right? This would then show that you "met" the building codes...
Perhaps, call the State of Hawaii department that handles building inspections and either complain about this person, or ask them WHY your store is shut down.
Second, if your store is not up to code, for real,... then you need to address it. OR, if you do not "own" the building and are renting, then it is the building OWNER's responsibility to bring the building up to code and it is the Owner's problem....
You can turn around and file a complaint about him... because he is making false claims, "harassing" you and your business, and trying to shut you down... then on top of that he is stopping your ability to make a living and provide for your kids..
You can try and contact the pro-bono lawyer services below, and they help people who don't have money to pay for an attorney. But call and ask them about your "case."
Also, if this person is harassing you, you NEED to DOCUMENT everything, and perhaps call the police on him and file a complaint as well, if this is possible. AND emphasize that he is bringing emotional harm to you and your family, the business and financial hardship... DOCUMENT everything... and that you are ALSO "afraid" of him... and intimidated etc.
Lastly, there are some people who go around and PURPOSELY pick on certain businesses, and say they are not up to code or ADA regulations... because they are "working" for an ADA attorney or unethical attorney.... and they earn kick-backs from it or fees themselves.
Here are some links for "pro-bono" lawyers in Honolulu:
http://lawyers.justia.com/firm/volunteer-legal-services-o...
http://lawyers.justia.com/lawyers/education-law/hawaii/ho...
http://www.vlsh.org/
http://www.hsba.org/probono.aspx (the Hawaii State Bar Assoc.)
http://sherrybroder.com/story/story.1992_10_07.profile.asp
http://www.legalaidhawaii.org/
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/statesupport/...
To complain about inappropriate actions or unethical practices, by a Realtor:
http://www.hicentral.com/
http://hawaii.gov/hirec/
Look over and research these links for help... and where to complain about this Realtor.
All the best,
Susan