Development

... Updating the definition of “historic property” would speed up permitting for homebuilding while protecting Hawaii’s history ....

... Maui County Council considering multiple housing-related bills, including one aimed specifically at making it easier for older buildings to be rebuilt after the 2023 wildfires ....

... Properties mauka of Front Street or outside of the erosion hazard line are now exempt from SMA rules, which typically require lengthy review processes ....

"... Bill 105, which would waive for five years the nonconformity rule for churches, temples and anyone else seeking to rebuild in the wake of the Lahaina fires...."

... by partnering with developers to activate underutilized public lands, exploring innovative financing strategies to unlock new resources, and reorganizing its housing functions to centralize development, finance, and policy efforts ....

... learn more about Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ plan to change the law that will allow residential development up to 400 ft tall in Kaka’ako Makai ....

... California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking to Hawaii for advice on how to rebuild after wildfires ....

... In June 2022, the State Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) designated the Lahaina Aquifer Sector Area as both a ground and surface water management area ....

... A thicket of red tape has made the island's rebuilding efforts painfully slow ....

... over the past year, we’ve seen how bureaucratic hurdles can make it difficult to rebuild homes and businesses ....

... “it’s much easier to spend money than it is to deal with regulations, and that’s what’s going on here.” ...

... tracker consolidates data on government-subsidized housing units across Honolulu County ....

... This bill would also raise the residential height limit along Ala Moana Boulevard to 400 feet ....

... It mostly comes down to one thing: housing ....

... $29 million lying around doing nothing ....

... OHA Trustees are hoping 2025 will be the year legislators stop laughing at their Kaka’ako Makai upzone bills ....

... The word ‘plan’ occurs 526 times in this report.  The phrase ‘property rights’ occurs zero times ....

... Approximately $1.6B allocated for housing and $480M for restoration efforts ....

... The Honolulu City Council shelved Bill 46 while also approving bills that will actually be effective at facilitating more housing ....

... a few requests for the people of Hawaii ....

... Kafkaesque issues that so far have been unresolvable ....

... State land use laws significantly restrict urban development, meaning neighborhoods or condos can only make up about 5 percent of the state ....

"...restrictive regulations...."

... the (US) Supreme Court has held that the government cannot “compel a landowner over objection to rent his property” without violating the Takings Clause ....

...Even the bill’s supporters don’t pretend rents will come down....

... there are three major sources of uncertainty ....

... the widespread desire for change, “not only of people who want to get their permits approved, but also the people who are approving the permits.”  ....

“...There isn’t a lot of built environment left. So, the main thing that we’re talking about, is how can we move projects forward quickly while doing our due diligence to keep an eye out for any archaeology, or more importantly, iwi (human remains) that may be revealed during the construction process...”

... is there really a pent-up demand for high-density housing? ....

... testimonies Grassroot submitted to Hawaii's county councils during the past two weeks ....

... Bill 212 would increase the permit threshold for maintenance projects to $25,000 ....

... it could get worse ....

... Building a home or even completing minor repairs in Hawaii can quickly turn into a bureaucratic nightmare due to the notorious delays in county permitting departments. ...

... neither the County of Maui nor private wastewater collection systems have plans for building wastewater treatment works for the Kula area ....

... let homeowners build more backyard cottages ....

... these roadblocks hinder homebuilding, which fuels the ongoing housing crisis that impacts us all ....

...  Act 39 of 2024 mandates the state’s four counties allow at least two accessory dwelling units per residential lot ....

... Department of Accounting and General Services and the Stadium Authority announced the approval of Aloha Halawa District Partners (AHDP) as the preferred offeror for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) ....

... appointment of V.R. Hinano Rodrigues to the Commission on Water Resource Management -- enviros call for Senate to reject nomination ....

... The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii proposals are intended to help speed up permitting and relieve the Aloha State’s housing crisis ....

“How to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii”

... Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 105 (2024), which would modify how nonconforming structures and uses can be rebuilt or restored after being destroyed by a natural disaster ....

... In Hilo and Honolulu, experts will discuss Grassroot’s upcoming report detailing ways to speed up permitting and homebuilding ....

... FEMA is seeking to lease vacant lots from property owners who do not intend to rebuild on them within the next two to three years ....

... Links And Materials From Hawaii Bar Association Takings Program ....

... open houses to be held Oct. 23 and 26 ....

... Gov. Green steps in where Legislature faltered ....

... County regulatory reform bills on the move ....

... the key to resolving Hawaii’s housing crisis -- build more homes ....

... Maui county’s onerous water-meter regulations ....