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luxury real estate development in Hawaii, where Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was the first resident and spokesperson, is at the center of a lawsuit accusing Ohtani and his agent of interfering with business dealings and gaining unfair benefits. The lawsuit, filed in Hawaii circuit court, claims that CAA agent Nez Balelo threatened to end Ohtani's endorsement deal if two men associated with Hapuna Estates didn't agree to concessions. Developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto were allegedly fired by Kingsbarn Realty Capital in July after Balelo made the threat.

    The lawsuit alleges that Kingsbarn began catering to Balelo's demands, prioritizing its relationship with Ohtani over obligations to business partners. Ohtani is still listed as the first resident of Hapuna Estates, a 14-home development on the Big Island. His planned 5,000-square-foot home features ocean views and was reportedly built to his specifications.

    The lawsuit claims that developers spent 11 years working on the deal and signed Ohtani to an endorsement contract in 2023 as part of a marketing strategy. The developers gifted Ohtani his land, allowing him to choose his plot while covering construction costs himself. Lots in Hapuna Estates were originally priced at $4.9 million.

    The plaintiffs argue that the defendants must be held accountable for their actions and that fame should not shield them from accountability. They seek to expose misconduct and ensure equal application of contract rules, fair dealing, and accountability principles.