Construction of a new department within the city's building sector under consideration
The Hawaii County Council is proposing a County Charter amendment to create a Department of Building, with the aim of streamlining permitting and inspections. The proposed department, as outlined in Bill 68, is expected to be discussed at the County Council's Aug. 19 meeting in Kona.
If approved, the amendment will establish a new nine-member building codes commission, consisting of experts in construction-related fields. The commission's role would be to advise the Building Department and county officials on matters related to building codes, ensuring they fit the specific needs and context of Hawaii's islands.
The Building Division currently operates within the Department of Public Works, which oversees a broad range of duties. The proposed department, however, would focus solely on issuing permits and enforcing building-related codes. This move is intended to ease the workload of the Department of Public Works and speed up the permitting and inspection process.
The department would be led by a director appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. The director must have at least five years of experience in the building and development industries, with at least three years in supervisory or administrative roles. The department would also include a deputy director, a building codes commission, and supporting staff.
Several county officials, including the planning director, director of Public Works, fire chief, and water supply manager, would serve as nonvoting ex-officio members. The importance of consulting with industry experts before amending codes to ensure they fit Hawaii's unique island context was emphasized.
Councilwoman Heather Kimball suggested reducing the number of commission members from nine to five for easier quorum assurance. Councilwoman Jennifer Kagiwada agreed with this suggestion. The specific number of members for the commission is still under discussion.
The building codes commission's duties would include reviewing proposed amendments to building, electrical, plumbing, and fire codes, recommending ordinance changes, and advising county leaders on construction matters.
The mayor has stated that significant progress has been made in cutting down waiting times for building and solar permits through the Permitting Task Force. However, Mayor Kimo Alameda is not convinced that creating another department is the right solution. Despite this, there is no information indicating opposition from Mayor Alameda to the proposed amendment.
If the amendment is approved, it will be placed on the 2026 General Election ballot for voter approval. The proposed Department of Building aims to bring efficiency and speed to the permitting and inspection process in Hawaii County.
The proposed County Charter amendment, if approved, will lead to discussions about policy-and-legislation regarding the creation of a new Department of Building. This department, expected to streamline permitting and inspections, is a hot topic within Hawaiian politics, particularly in the context of general-news covering local government and its operations. The building codes commission, a nine-member commission that will advise the Building Department and county officials on matters related to building codes, is a crucial aspect of the proposed policy-and-legislation.
