Be very wary about buying land from...

[John S. Rabi]

Julie, I don't think you really understand this situation. The "seller" is not defaulting "his customers." As far as the County of Hawaii is concerned, you never owned this lot and if the owner of record is not paying the property tax the COH will put up the lot for auction to collect the tax.
As far as the Home Owner Association is concerned, you never owned this lot either. They mail out the association dues notice to the owner of record and if it's not paid they have the right to do whatever is in the By-Laws to collect the dues.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[missydog1]

Hi Julie,
John is right and from what you say you don't appear to be clear what it means to have title (or not have title).

I don't doubt he is scum, and in the wrong, but I find it impossible to understand what you are talking about with the "defaulting."

That the County says the lot is in arrears for taxes?
That you are in default in terms of the contract the two of you have?
That he didn't pass along money you paid him to pay third parties?
Where does the HOA fit in the picture?
It's way too confusing to follow.

This is a great example of why people should buy property through escrow, where no money changes hands (is held by a neutral party) until the title changes hands.