Hawaii, September 18, 2025
News Summary
The Hawaii Legislature has initiated a task force named SPEED to simplify the building permit process statewide amidst challenges such as significant staff vacancies and outdated systems. The 34-member team aims to enhance economic development by improving permit efficiency while addressing staffing issues, including low salaries in agencies processing permits. With a budget of $200,000, the task force is considering updates to building codes and implementing new technology to streamline operations and reduce approval times.
Hawaii Task Force Launches Effort to Streamline Building Permits
The Hawaii Legislature has recently established a 34-member task force aimed at simplifying the building permit process statewide. Named Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED), this initiative seeks to not only boost construction but also foster economic development across the islands.
The SPEED task force convened for its first meeting at the state Capitol, where members discussed the urgent need to tackle staffing shortages in agencies responsible for permit processing. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) currently faces significant staff vacancies, with 14 out of 33 positions for commercial property permits and six out of 32 for residential permits remaining unfilled. DPP Director Dawn Apuna indicated that low salaries are a major barrier to attracting qualified applicants, with reported pay rates being 30% or more below federal levels.
Similar challenges are evident in Maui County’s Department of Public Works, which has five out of 14 building permit positions vacant. Other areas like Hawaii island and Kauai also reported staffing challenges, albeit on a smaller scale. Given the current state of vacancies, task force members recognize the pressing need to create solutions that can expedite the entire permitting process.
The assembly of the task force includes representatives from various state and county agencies, construction stakeholders, and real estate professionals. With an allocated budget of $200,000 for staff and administrative expenses over two years, the task force’s mandate concludes on June 30, 2027. Their primary focus lies in unraveling the complexities surrounding a notoriously intricate permitting process, including addressing issues of poor-quality work often submitted by applicants.
Among the recommended changes being considered is a proposal to extend building code update cycles from every three years to every six years. Permit applications typically undergo review cycles ranging from two to five times due to common inadequacies in submissions made by applicants. Moreover, Hawaii County’s Department of Public Works plans to implement AI-driven software called CivCheck to enhance code compliance for permit applicants.
The DPP has also launched a new online permitting system dubbed HNL Build, designed to significantly streamline the application process and allow for online credit card payments. This new system replaces a dated permitting framework that had been in use for 26 years, which contributed to substantial backlogs within the permitting process.
Thanks to the existing initiatives, the average time for issuing permits in Hawaii County has seen considerable improvement, decreasing to less than two months since the establishment of a permitting task force. Various county officials have acknowledged how new legislative and county regulations have heightened permit workloads, leading to additional pressures on current staff.
Some officials are asserting that the key to addressing the ongoing housing crisis lies in comprehensive reform of the permitting regulations, rather than simply relying on staffing solutions or software launches. To facilitate this, the task force has divided into three focus groups to conduct a thorough examination of issues related to building permits, state health department reviews, and wastewater system approvals, with recommendations anticipated by January.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Hawaii task force SPEED?
The Hawaii Legislature has established a 34-member task force to simplify the building permit process statewide, aimed at boosting construction and economic development.
What are the staffing challenges faced by Hawaii’s permit processing agencies?
Significant staff vacancies in agencies involved in permit processing hinder the capacity for timely permit approvals.
What innovative measures are being considered to improve the permitting process?
The Hawaii County’s Department of Public Works aims to improve the permit process by implementing AI-driven software, CivCheck, to enhance code compliance for applicants.
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Additional Resources
- The Garden Island
- Wikipedia: Hawaii
- Hawaii News Now
- Google Search: Hawaii building permits
- Big Island Now
- Google Scholar: Hawaii building permits
- Spectrum Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hawaii building permits
- Star Advertiser
- Google News: Hawaii building permits

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