If you’ve been out of the loop, two Hawaii-based real estate developers have sued the Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo. Developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto got Ohtani on board in 2023 to be the “face” of a $240 million luxury housing project called The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort. It features 14 beachfront homes at nearly $17.3 million each. Following this infamous lawsuit, Baleolo became the “disruptive force” in increasing demands and threatening to withdraw Ohtani unless the main developer, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, fired them from the 11-year-long project.

As per the complaint filed in the Hawaii Circuit Court, Balelo demanded Hayes and Matsumoto’s removal from the project, issuing an ultimatum to Kingsbarn, the plaintiff business partner

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