One thing that happened back then its the rise of all this private money..

you refused to answer her and sent me a private message where you asked me to take down her posts. 

Looks like biting the bullet and getting an engineer may be my best bet.

I’m hoping to find more success in Phoenix, but as you stated, the old fashioned way may be my best bet.

There is no shortage of private equity offerings, and the aforementioned vehicles. 

Single family homes are exempt from rent control when privately owned.  

Now if you've followed things this far kudos, and I bet your feeling some lumps.

Hawaiian real estate law differs from other western states significantly, mostly due to its monarchal heritage and the Bishop Trust influence.The basics are the same as would be in California; determine the condition of title ownership (individual(s), estate (including conservatorship, if appropriate) OR fiduciary acting for trust.Use a qualified private money equity lender to make a loan sufficient to buy out the cash-only beneficiaryThe legal community in HI and Big Island in particular is small.

This is one way to manage costs risk.The ways to own the property besides FHA & conventional loans is with private loans, investor DSCR loans (non owner occupied); seller financing, lease options, partnering with others to take the property down..... 

I suspect that you'll have better luck with a local bank or private money, though it likely will still be challenging.