Special Report

Permit Pileup

Honolulu Permit Counter Closing Next Week To Catch Up With Backlog Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Permit Counter Closing Next Week To Catch Up With Backlog

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More than 800 projects are waiting to clear the first hurdle in the permitting process.

Elderly Honolulu Architect Convicted For Attempted $20 Bribe Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Elderly Honolulu Architect Convicted For Attempted $20 Bribe

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An offer of supposed lunch money could land the nonagenarian in prison.

Bribery Case: Architect, 92, On Trial For Failed $20 Gift To City Worker Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Bribery Case: Architect, 92, On Trial For Failed $20 Gift To City Worker

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An elderly architect tried to slip an employee what he called a gratuity. County prosecutors say it was a bribe. A judge will decide.

Honolulu Fired Building Permit Worker Who Cut Through Delays For A Few People Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Fired Building Permit Worker Who Cut Through Delays For A Few People

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The city accused a plans examiner of preferential treatment. The employee said she was trying to help permit applicants.

‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust

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The permitting director insists the new program is working and problems are being fixed, but some staff are begging for a return to the old system. 

Honolulu Permit Director Blames Delays In New System On Growing Pains Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Permit Director Blames Delays In New System On Growing Pains

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New technology has not yet been able to “accelerate everything” as the mayor promised, but the permitting director is urging people to keep the faith.

Honolulu Mayor Defends Bumpy Rollout Of New Building Permit System Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Mayor Defends Bumpy Rollout Of New Building Permit System

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The $7 million system, funded by city and federal funds, has had problems since it launched on Aug. 4. The mayor urged patience during the transition period.

Honolulu Mayor: With AI, Building Permit Office Will Speed Up By Year’s End Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Mayor: With AI, Building Permit Office Will Speed Up By Year’s End

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Applicants should start seeing a difference soon, the mayor says, thanks to new technology.

Permit Pileup: An Update from Honolulu’s Mayor Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Permit Pileup: An Update from Honolulu’s Mayor

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Mahalo to Mayor Rick Blangiardi for joining us to discuss new updates at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.