Housing Finance & Development Corp. v. Harold K.L. Castle Foundation

901 P.2d 1300, 79 Haw. 321

• Court: Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals
• Decided: October 12, 1995
• Docket: 16292
• Status: Published

Opinion

ACOBA Judge.

Plaintiff-Appellee Housing Finance and Development Corporation (Plaintiff), on April 1, 1991, brought a condemnation action against Defendant-Appellant 1 Harold K.L. Castle Foundation (Defendant) pursuant to the Hawaii Land Reform Act (Act), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) chapter 516 (1985 & Supp.1992), on behalf of certain Defendant-Appellant lessees (Lessees). Under the Act, the State of Hawaii is empowered to condemn the leased fee interests of the fee owners in leased property for the benefit of the lessees. HRS § 516-23 (1985). Plaintiff, an agency of the State, sought to acquire the leased fee interests of seventy-five lots owned by Defendant in Kailua, Hawaii.

At trial, both Defendant and Lessees called appraisers as expert witnesses to testify to the fair market value of the leased fee interests sought to be condemned. Plaintiffs instruction No. 4 given to the jury, as modified, by agreement of the parties stated:

The [Defendant] is entitled to just compensation. Just compensation is the fair market value of the leased fee interest of the lot which would apply if that leased fee interest were normally traded on an open market.

The “fair market value” is defined as “that amount of money that a purchaser willing, but not obliged, to buy an interest in land would pay an owner willing, but not obliged, to sell it, taking into consideration all uses to which the land is adapted or might in reason be applied.”

(Emphasis added.)

On appeal, Lessees’ 2 sole contention is that the trial court erred in refusing to give Lessees’ proposed instruction No. 14 which defined the term “open market.” They appeal the judgment filed on June 12, 1992. We affirm.

The Act was enacted by the legislature in 1967. See 1967 Haw.Sess.L.Act 307, § 46 at 503. “The primary purpose of [the Act] is to provide [the] means by which the lessees of residential lease-hold lots may become vested with the fee simple title to their lots.” Sen. Conf.Comm.Rep. No. 19 (Majority), in 1967 Senate Journal, at 799-801. The constitutionality of the Act was sustained by the United States Supreme Court in Hawaii Hous. Auth. v. Midkiff, 467 U.S. 229, 104 S.Ct. 2321, 81 L.Ed.2d 186 (1984). In Hawaii Hous. Auth., the Court held that the Act did not violate the “public use” requirement of the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution because “[t]he ‘public use’ requirement is ... coterminous with the scope of a sovereign’s police powers,” id. at 240, 104 S.Ct. at 2329, and “[r]egulating [an] oligopoly and the evils associated with it is a classic example of a State’s police powers.” Id. at 242, 104 S.Ct. at 2330. The constitutionality of the Act was recently reaffirmed by the Hawaii Supreme Court in Housing Fin. & Dev. Corp. v. Castle, 79 Hawai'i 64, 898 P.2d 576 (1995).

The term “open market” in Plaintiffs instruction no. 4 is in the statutory definition of “owner’s basis.” HRS § 516-24 (1985) directs that “[t]he [just] compensation to be paid [the owner] for the leased fee interest in a residential houselot within a tract shall be the owner’s basis as defined in section 516-1(14).” 3 In turn, HRS § 516-1 (Supp.1992) defines “owner’s basis” as follows:

“Owner’s basis” means the value of the lessor’s leased fee interest in the lot that would apply if such interests were normally traded on an open market. The fair market value of the owner’s basis shall be established to provide the lessor with just compensation for the lessor’s interests in the lot and shall take into consideration every interest and equity of the lessee in establishing that market value. The value may be determined by either of the following methods, or any other method which is normally used by qualified appraisers in establishing the fair market value of a lessor’s leased fee interest in land [.]

(Emphases added.) The underscored language in the foregoing definition of “owner’s basis” was added by the legislature, effective May 22, 1980, 1980 Haw.Sess.L.Act 107, § 2 at 81, “to correct the [constitutional deficiencies in Chapter 516, Hawaii [Hawaii] Revised Statutes, as outlined by Judge Samuel P. King, of the U.S. District Court, in his decision in Midkiff v. Tom and Wai-Kahala Tract “H” Assoc. (May 9, 1979).” Sen. Stand.Comm.Rep. No. 611, in 1980 Senate Journal, at 1282. In Midkiff v. Tom, 471 F.Supp. 871 (D.Haw.1979), the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii had held that the definition of “owner’s basis” contained in HRS § 516-1(14) 4 (1976) “[could] pass constitutional scrutiny under the fourteenth amendment only if everything after the first two sentences in this definition of ‘owner’s basis’ [was] ignored.” Id. at 882-83. In addition, the court noted that in actual practice, expert witnesses “did not consider themselves to be so restricted by the statutory language.” Id. at 883 n. 29. In response, the legislature amended the statute to allow “fair market value” to be established by “any other method which is normally used by qualified appraisers” in addition to the two methods already described in the statute. HRS § 516-1 (Supp.1992). Relevant to the instant case, the legislature also amended the first sentence of the “owner’s basis” definition to include the term “open market,” even though the district court expressly stated that “[t]he first two sentences of Haw.Rev. Stat. [§] 516-1(14) [1976] [were] not objectionable[.]” Tom, 471 F.Supp. at 882. We conclude, and the parties confirm, that no express legislative intent can be found for inclusion of the “open market” reference in HRS § 516-24 (1985). The term “open market” itself is not defined in the statute.

Our search reveals that the term “open market” is not ordinarily defined in appraisal manuals and guides, although it is commonly referred to in the definition of “market value.” 5 “Market value” is defined as “[t]he highest price estimated in terms of money which the land would bring if exposed for sale in the open market, with reasonable time allowed in which to find a purchaser, buying with knowledge of all of the uses and purposes to which it is adapted and for which it was capable of being used.” The Appraisal of Real Estate 21 (S. Shea-Joyce 10th ed. 1992) (citing- Sacramento R.R. v. Heilbron, 156 Cal. 408, 104 P. 979 (1909)); The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal 193 (2d ed. 1989). Similarly, “market value” is “[t]he highest price estimated in terms of money which a property will bring if exposed for sale in the open market, allowing a reasonable time to find a purchaser who buys with knowledge of all the uses to which it is adapted and for which it is capable of being used.” Condemnation Appraisal Practice 4 (1961). “Market value” is also defined as “[t]he most probable price in terms of money which a property should bring in [a] competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus.” B. Boyce, Real Estate Appraisal Terminology 160 (1981); Encyclopedia of Real Estate Appraising 25 (E. Friedman ed. 1978). Finally, “market price” is “[t]he most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus.” L. Hill & P. Hill, The Residential Real Estate Appraiser’s Portable Handbook 8 (1990).

The term, “open market,” has been employed in definitions of “market value” and “fair market value” in this jurisdiction. The Hawai'i Supreme Court has held that a statutory scheme of real estate taxation adopted “fair market value” as the relevant measure of property value. In re Amfac, Inc., 65 Haw. 499, 654 P.2d 363 (1982). The court noted that precedent defined “market value” as the “ Value in money of any property for which that property would sell on the open market by a willing seller to a willing buyer.’ ” Id., 65 Haw. at 502, 654 P.2d at 365-66 (quoting In re Puna Sugar Co., 56 Haw. 621, 624, 547 P.2d 2, 4 (1976)). The court followed the same principle in City & County of Honolulu v. Steiner, 73 Haw. 449, 454, 834 P.2d 1302, 1306 (1992). In an eminent domain case, the United States District Court ruled that:

compensation must be estimated as the fair market value of the property at the time of the taking[.] This market value is not to be ascertained by what the property would bring at a forced sale, but by what it would fairly bring for any purpose if the owners themselves, without pressure, should offer it for sale.

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The market value of a lease to the lessee is, of course, what it will sell for in the open market.

United States v. Thurston, 4 U.S.Dist.Ct. Haw. 16, 20-21 (1912).

Of course, “ ‘[rjesort to legal or other well accepted dictionaries is one way to determine the ordinary meanings of certain terms [not statutorily defined].’ ” State v. Chen, 77 Hawai'i 329, 337, 884 P.2d 392, 400 (App.), cert. denied, 77 Hawai'i 489, 889 P.2d 66 (1994) (quoting Rivas.v. State, 787 S.W.2d 113, 115 (Tex.Ct.App.1990)). While Black’s Law Dictionary does not define “open market,” as in the appraisal literature, the term “open market” is found in the legal definition of “market value” and “fair market value.” Black’s Law Dictionary defines “market value” as “[t]he price property would command in the open market. [This means] the highest price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller accept, both being fully informed, and the property being exposed for a reasonable period of time.” Black’s Law Dictionary 971 (6th ed. 1990) (emphasis added). Similarly, “fair market value” is defined as:

the price in cash, or its equivalent, that the property would have brought at the time of taking, considering its highest and most profitable use, if then offered for sale in the open market, in competition -with other similar properties at or near the location of the property taken, with a reasonable time allowed to find a purchaser.

Id. at 597 (citing State v. Cooper Alloy Corp., 136 N.J.Super. 560, 347 A.2d 365, 368 (1975)).

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary defines “open market” as a “freely competitive market in which any buyer or seller may trade and in which prices are determined by competition.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1580 (1981). The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines “open market” as “an unrestricted competitive market in which any buyer and seller is free to participate.” Random House Unabridged Dictionary 1357 (2d ed. 1993). It is evident that these succinct definitions are consistent with the meaning ascribed to the term “open market” in the “market value” and “fair market value” definitions in the appraisal and legal authorities we have reviewed, supra. We hold, therefore, that an “open market,” as referred to in the definition of “owner’s basis” in HRS § 516-1, means “an unrestricted competitive market in which any buyer and seller is free to participate.” In contrast, the proposed definition in Lessees’ Instruction No. 14 read:

“An open market is one in which anyone, or at least a large number of persons, can buy or sell.”

Although Lessees argue that their proposed instruction No. 14 is an accurate statement of the law, they admit their definition of “open market” lacks any reference to a market which is competitive. While they contend the element of “competition” is implicit in their definition, Lessees’ instruction No. 14 does not convey the requirement that the buyer and seller be unrestricted. Moreover, Lessees’ proposed instruction No. 14 is ambiguous. The phrase, “can buy or sell,” may connote a present ability to purchase or sell in contrast to the freedom to participate. 6 Accordingly, the trial judge properly rejected this instruction. “A trial court is not obligated to give any requested instruction which does not state the law with substantial correctness.” Stratis v. Pacific Ins. Co., 7 Haw.App. 1, 10, 739 P.2d 251, 257 (1987) (quoting 75 Am.Jur.2d Trial § 590 at 571 (1974)). Hence, we hold that it was not error for the trial court to refuse Lessees’ proposed instruction No. 14.

However, the question remains as to whether an instruction defining “open market” should have been given, inasmuch as “[t]he boundaries of the trial judge’s discretion in [refusing to give a jury instruction] are defined by the obligation to give sufficient instructions[.]” Tittle v. Hurlbutt, 53 Haw. 526, 530, 497 P.2d 1354, 1357 (1972). Defendant argues that the definition of “open market” is a matter to be left to expert witnesses. We do not entirely agree with Defendant. In requiring the leased fee interests to be valued as “if such interests were normally traded on an open market,” the legislature presumed a hypothetical market, but nonetheless, one which was “open,” and thus, unrestricted and competitive. The experts must make their judgments concerning “fair market value” with reference to this hypothetical market and are not at liberty to disregard this imposed assumption. In doing so, however, they may employ “any” method “normally used by qualified appraisers in establishing the fair market value of a lessor’s leased fee interest^]” HRS § 516-1.

We hold, furthermore, that the concept of an “open market” was adequately covered by the instructions.

In this case, the jury was instructed that “just compensation” meant the “fair market value” of the lessor’s leased fee interests as if “normally traded” on an open market. The jury was instructed, as we have indicated, that “fair market value” was defined as follows:

“Fair market value” is defined as “that amount of money that a purchaser willing, but not obliged, to buy an interest in land would pay an owner willing, but not obliged, to sell it, taking into consideration all uses to which the land is adapted or might in reason be applied.”

(Emphasis added.) The setting in which a purchaser and seller are “willing, but not obliged” to buy and sell, respectively, indicates that the market participants were unrestricted in their economic decisions, since they were “not obliged” to buy or sell and competitive, since their “willing” purchase and sale denote the ability to deal freely with each other. Consequently, the “fair market value” definition, (which posits a hypothetical purchaser willing but not obliged to buy and a hypothetical seller willing but not obliged to sell), coupled with the “just compensation” definition, (which directs that leased fee interests be valued as if “normally traded,”) essentially incorporate the unrestricted, competitive and participatory concept of an open market. We note, also, that the jury made no inquiry of the court concerning the definition of “fair market value” or “open market.” “The trial judge [here] [did] not exceed the limits of his discretion by [refusing] [the] requested instruction [because it was] substantially covered by other instructions[.]” Tittle, 53 Haw. at 531, 497 P.2d at 1357.

Generally, “ ‘[r]epetitious instructions should be avoided[.]’ ” DiCenzo v. Izawa, 68 Haw. 528, 543, 723 P.2d 171, 180 (1986) (quoting Tittle, 53 Haw. at 531, 497 P.2d at 1357) (brackets omitted). While we believe the concept of an “open market” was adequately covered by the instructions, our holding does not prohibit a trial court from instructing the jury on the definition of “open market,” if it believes the instruction is necessary and will not be confusing to the jury.

Because Lessees’ proposed instruction No. 14 was not an accurate statement of the law and, alternatively, because the concept of an “open market” was adequately covered by the instructions given, we find that the trial court did not err in refusing to give Lessees’ said instruction. Accordingly, the June 12, 1992 Judgment is affirmed.

1 . Defendant's appeals were decided in Hawai'i Supreme Court Appeal No. 16293 on May 19, 1995. Defendant is actually an appellee here.

2 . Only Lessees Jane Saeko Ikeda, Kiyoshi Ikeda, and Roland W. Eaker have brought this appeal.

3 . When the definition of "owner’s basis" under Hawai'i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 516-1(14) (1985) was amended, the numbering was removed. Thus, when referring to the current definition, the citation will read, HRS § 516-1 (Supp.1992).

4 . The previous version of HRS § 516-1(14) (1976) read as follows:

"Owner's basis" means the current fair market value of the lot. The fair market value shall be established to provide the lessor with just compensation for his interests in the lot and shall take into consideration every interest and equity of the lessee in establishing that market value. The value shall be determined by whichever following method provides just compensation and gives the greater consideration to the lessee's interest:

(A) The sum of: (i) the future rental stream for the lot for the term of the lease discounted to present worth from the expiration date of the lease; and (ii) the value of the lessor’s reversionary interest in the lot discounted to present worth from the expiration date of the lease. The discount rate shall be based on the maximum rate of return for insured passbook demand saving account paid by the savings and loan institutions in Hawaii [Hawaii] plus three and three-fourths per cent; provided, however, that the discount rate may be modified by mutual agreement of the lessor, lessee, and the authority; or

(B) The current fair market value of the lot, valued as if it were a fee simple lot and as if the fee title were unencumbered, and excluding onsite improvements, established by a market data approach utilizing comparable sales, less the following:

(i) The value of the lease, including any rights therein, if any, which accrues to the lessee;

(ii) That percentage of the general enhancement of the neighborhood which has been paid for or contributed directly or indirectly by the lessee;

(iii) The current replacement cost of that portion of existing offsite improvements, including overhead and profit at prevailing rates, which were paid for or otherwise contributed directly or indirectly by the lessee;

(iv) That percentage of the general enhancement of the development tract and the lot caused by the onsite improvements on the lot paid for, or contributed, directly or indirectly, by the lessee;

(v) That amount, not otherwise deducted herein, allocated to the lot, which was paid for or otherwise contributed, directly or indirectly by the original lessee, computed at prevailing rates for overhead and profit in developing the development tract established by existing practice in the community; and

(vi) That amount for fees and costs which would ordinarily be borne by lessor in transferring such interest to lessee, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ or realtors’ commissions, other costs of sale, and similar fees;

provided, however, that the values established by any one of the foregoing shall not be duplicated in any one of the other provisions.

5 . The definitions of "market value” and "fair market value” contain similar elements and are often used interchangeably. See United States v. Thurston, 4 U.S.Dist.Ct. and Haw. 16, 20-21 (1912) (an eminent domain case in which the court used fair market value and market value interchangeably). One court has stated that the terms "market value" and "fair market value." are synonymous. Fort Worth & D.N. Ry. v. Sugg, 68 S.W.2d 570, 572 (Tex.Civ.App.1934).

6 . Lessee's proposed instruction No. 14, if given, might have caused confusion when read in conjunction with Plaintiffs instruction No. 7 (given by the court as modified over Defendant’s objection):

You are not to consider whether any lessee can or cannot afford to purchase the leased fee interest in his or her lot.