Caldwell Asks City Council To Amend ‘Monster Homes’ Bill

The Honolulu mayor approves Bill 79 but points to Department of Planning and Permitting concerns.

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In a press conference Wednesday at Honolulu Hale, Mayor Kirk Caldwell allowed Bill 79 related to detached dwellings — also known as “monster homes” — to become law without his signature.

But the mayor also sent a letter to the Honolulu City Council explaining his support for the bill’s intent but also his worry over possible unintended consequences.

Caldwell is asking the Council to address those concerns “as quickly as possible” through amendments to the new law, according to a press release.

Mayor Caldwell at a press conference Wednesday explaining his view on a bill controlling so-called “monster homes.” City and County of Honolulu

“We fear the bill is overly complicated and will not have the intended effect of preventing the development of very large detached dwellings,” the mayor said.

Monster homes are houses that stretch the density of the limits of the city’s zoning regulations in order to accommodate as many occupants as possible.

The large homes also impact area infrastructure and parking.

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