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

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

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

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

Time is money, and it’s not just permit applicants who lose. The city pays a price, too. 

New tools promise to give applicants faster feedback on their plans.

The permitting director says her employees are underpaid. But the mayor has not tried to negotiate raises for plan reviewers, saying there's more to the problem than pay.

Permit review times at the troubled permitting office are worse than before, but the department has taken steps to improve its processes. 

Construction industry professionals say it’s taking longer than ever to get a permit in Honolulu. The delays disrupt lives and put a drag on the economy.  

A Civil Beat analysis raises questions about the fairness of wide disparities in how fast permits get approved. Bribery, political influence, people skills and other factors help determine a permit application's speed.