In our search for office space in the Wailuku area (which is on the other side of the island from Lahaina) we have run into some issues. Amongst the many empty spaces that we see and have queried about, some real estate companies tell us that they have no properties available in the area. And some of the ones that they have that are empty; I am told that some of them are being sold to mainland companies. Other have leases that are completely ridiculous. It would seem that the rent price gouging may have begun in the wake of the Lahaina Wildfires. Most of Lahaina is now in the Kahului and Wailuku area and looking for places to stay and new places of business.
We did find one real estate company (Kokua Realty) that has shown us two places with reasonable rents. We have chosen the larger of the two (567 Sq Ft) and plan to take possession of the office space soon. It will need to be completely refurbished for it is in an old building. We will need to rip out the carpeting and start with new flooring. This is our current challenge. We got two quotes; one for industrial indoor / outdoor carpeting ($2600) and Vinyl Flooring ($5800). I guess vinyl flooring is out of reach of our current budget, even though it would be better...
On September 1, 2023; Randem Systems has found a new home! We now reside at:
Randem Systems
16 South Market Street
Suite 2N
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 344-0256
Although we have a new home :) We continue to need your help to help rebuild the business. We have to remodel the place so that we can function properly. The flooring alone is $6000.00 :'( . It is an old building in the heart of Wailuku Town which is also a historic Maui town. You can see our building if you Google Earth the Address 1999 Main Street. Our building has three addresses and 2 entrances (1999 Main Street / 16 S. Market Street / 1995 Main Street). We are located on the corner of Market Street and Main Street. We have begun the arduous task of putting in new lighting and window shades. So far I have done all the work myself. The flooring is way beyond my means and needs to be done by a professional.
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This is what we found under the stained carpet, YUCK!!!. We have to level the floor before the vinyl flooring can be put down.
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Well the vinyl flooring has been completed and we have started putting the office together with some very basic furniture to create a viable working environment. What a transformation...
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The office is taking shape... Lots of work putting chairs and wire shelving together, but less work than bringing those things up 21 stairs... :P
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Today's work was to put plexiglass in one of the windows to keep the hot air from coming in and keeping the cool air from going out. This is a very old building with louver windows that do not close well or even open for that matter. Five more windows to complete... The workstations have been setup and some office supplies and repair supplies have been put on the shelves. We also installed a compact fridge in today with the help of a friend to help transport and carry it up 21 stairs. The building has no elevator. :(
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I put up two more sheets of plexiglass over two more windows, 3 more to go. Plexiglass is pretty expensive here so I can only do 1 to 2 at a time. We can't officially open until we get internet. Spectrum has to run a new conduit and lines so we can get high speed internet. The building is old and the current lines will not support what we need. We may not get internet until September 29, 2023 at the earliest. Until then we can do minor repairs that do not include the internet. I currently have to use my cell phone as a hotspot for internet for small jobs. Still need inventory and many other small things that make an office work.
Well, Spectrum has gotten the ROE (Right of Entry) signed today for our building, so the work can begin. I still don't know when they will start or complete their work, but considering all the work they have to do on the Lahaina side of the island to get service back up; it may take a while. Spectrum is now working seven days a week though... two old customers who also lost everything came by with computers for me to help them with, it's a start; they still know where to go when they need help! Now to work on getting new customers too.
I will post updated pictures of the latest work done in the office tomorrow. Long days for me...
The new additions to the office... TV's, gaming consoles cases, things on shelves. Have to make it seem like we have been here forever... All we need now is Internet and customers, well we still need inventory also ;D
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More additions to the office, just using the basics...
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Filling up the office space... Adding something new-ish.
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More things to fill shelves...
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We are getting the office ready for business. Spectrum's contractor is suppose to come on Monday, September 26, 2023 to install a conduit in the hallway for the new spectrum line for the office. They will come back on Tuesday to install the conduit in the office. I don't know if they are installing the conduit along with the new line or just the conduit and Spectrum will come install the line. Hopefully I will find out tomorrow.
Today I installed two new Smart TV's and two cameras of the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). We are ready for customers. We just have to help them find us ;D
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Well, we are still waiting for internet. I have been trying since Sept 3, 2023. Spectrum messed up again, Well maybe it was just a lazy technician... He came to our building and then texted me that he could not complete the job. He never came to my office to discuss it, then the lazy boy marked the order complete after he did nothing! I called the office and they were very much clueless also. They told me some outrageous lie about me having service. Mind you that there is no equipment present and not even a coax cable, Maybe they installed wireless internet and phone service :o . Not only does the left hand not know what they right hand is doing, the left hand does not even care...
Here is my flyer that I am sending out to get new customers
https://randemsystems.cloud/data/BusinessOpener1.pdf
Well, on October 10, 2023 we finally got our internet and phone service installed :) . Now we are officially open for business 8) . We have all our new computers and workstations and can do everything that we could do before the Lahaina Wildfires. Come down and see us!
(https://randemsystems.cloud/data/Wailuku_Office/Office/20231012_104813.jpg)
The classroom is now setup and awaiting the mini computers. We are looking for instructors for the classes (of course students also :D )
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Ready for classes tomorrow (Sunday)!
(https://randemsystems.cloud/data/Wailuku_Office/Office/20231028_153244.jpg)
Installed curtain separators for the office. We will separate the classroom from the tech side when both are in use.
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We also have ads on the KAIO radio group Q103 FM, 94.3 FM and 95.1 FM. The 30 second ads air 3 time daily on each station. This is the ad, of course audio only.
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDgRezElj5Y |
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Classroom Redesign
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