Example:
An existing asset has an estimated useful life of fifty years, becomes thirty years old on January 1, 2010, has an estimated remaining life of twenty years, and an estimated replacement cost of $100,000. Under the standard method of calculation, a full replacement reserve on December 31, 2010, for that asset would be $62,000 ($100,000 x 31/50). If an association had not already established a replacement reserve for that asset, the full replacement reserve contribution by December 31, 2010, would be $62,000 (or fifty per cent of that amount - $31,000 - for the minimum replacement reserve). If the association adopts the method of calculation permitted by subsection (b), the full replacement reserve contribution required by December 31, 2010, for the same asset would be only $5,000 ($100,000 x 1/20), or fifty per cent of that amount - $2,500 - for the minimum replacement reserve, although subsequent annual contributions will be higher than in the first example. In effect, the asset is deemed to be only one year old, not thirty-one years old on December 31, 2010.
Haw. Code R. § 16-107-71