Civil Beat Categories

Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting

Speedier Reviews, Quicker Honolulu Building Permits? Not So Fast Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2025

Speedier Reviews, Quicker Honolulu Building Permits? Not So Fast

The county says it鈥檚 doing its job faster, but that鈥檚 not yet translating to faster permits for property owners. 

Honolulu Will Allow Some Developers To OK Their Own Projects Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Will Allow Some Developers To OK Their Own Projects

The council acted in November 2023 to reduce a backlog of permit applications, but the program hasn’t launched yet.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Home Flippers Hit With Flurry Of Building Violations

‘Renovation Aloha’ Home Flippers Hit With Flurry Of Building Violations

Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama continue to renovate O驶ahu homes without proper permits even as their show seeks taxpayer subsidies. 

At Honolulu鈥檚 Troubled Permitting Department, There Are Signs Of Hope Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2024

At Honolulu鈥檚 Troubled Permitting Department, There Are Signs Of Hope

People have been waiting way too long for permits, with many applications literally taking years, but city data suggests the system is gaining speed.

Honolulu Yanks 鈥楻enovation Aloha鈥� Permit After Civil Beat Exposes Illegal Work

Honolulu Yanks 鈥楻enovation Aloha鈥� Permit After Civil Beat Exposes Illegal Work

HGTV hosts Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama are facing backlash because some of their speedy projects lacked proper permits.

For ‘Renovation Aloha,’ Permit Violations Are The Cost Of Doing Business

For ‘Renovation Aloha,’ Permit Violations Are The Cost Of Doing Business

As the saying goes, it鈥檚 better to ask for forgiveness than permission. The Kalamas have turned that adage into profit. 

Construction At Turtle Bay Development Stays On Hold For Now Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2024

Construction At Turtle Bay Development Stays On Hold For Now

The developers previously said they planned to start ‘vertical construction’ on Dec. 1. That didn’t happen.

North Shore Development On Fast Track Thanks To 2022 City Decision Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2024

North Shore Development On Fast Track Thanks To 2022 City Decision

Plans for a Turtle Bay development are under review, but the developer inherited government approvals that helped it get off to a quick start.

Honolulu Struggles To Find A Remedy For Abandoned Homes Taken Over By Squatters David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Honolulu Struggles To Find A Remedy For Abandoned Homes Taken Over By Squatters

Neighborhood boards across Oahu are asking the city to seize such properties, which are prone to fire. But the city says that the foreclosure process is unwieldy and expensive.

Honolulu Finally Fires Electrical Inspector Who Approved His Own Jobs Getty Images

Honolulu Finally Fires Electrical Inspector Who Approved His Own Jobs

During the investigation, the inspector was put on leave and collected 16 months of pay.

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