Hawaii’s Broken Permit System: How Red Tape is Fueling Controversy in ‘Renovation Aloha’

[@hanyoo6043]

Hey Derek, this is why I watch your show every week. You're straightforward and honest. You acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. When I do move back to Oahu I know I can trust you and your team for my needs.

[@mandykehau]

This is a great conversation to have between all parties of real estate in Hawaii. But what is the purpose of calling them out Civil Beat, when you know the outcomes could be significant for people in an industry you have nothing to do with?? To cause “controversy” with no solution to this problem that has been going on for decades??? And why call out the mom n pop of the industry instead of allllll the significant violations done by bigger commercial investors like what’s happening in Kahuku ??? Those companies that are having ag land approved for huge resorts to be built??? Pilau to call out kanaka born n raised here, who are just trying to make a living vs calling out the already rich foreigners that seem to consistently get away with murder. Shame!!

[@kanaka_haole_96706]

Yes DPP system is messed up. And no, that does not make what the Kaiamas did ok. They are taking risks with the health and safety of people who buy their homes. It’s not just that they don’t wait until the permit is approved to start working, it’s that they are doing way more work than is permitted. Moving walls causing structural safety hazards, changing plumbing and electrical that isn’t permitted and can lead to flooding and house fires. The only reason they got caught is because they did their illegal activities on TV. Yes DPP sucks! Yes what the Kalamas are doing is still wrong

[@mt2766]

My sister waited nearly 2 years to get permits to remodel her kitchen and bathroom. And, yes, prices increased while the weeks, months and year ticked by…Thank you for shining a spotlight on the corruption masquerading as incompetence. Who has oversight of the DPP? The City Council? The Mayor?

[@elevate5369]

Excellent video! Thank you Derek for addressing this topic

[@dlasti]

Thank you for this video. DPP has been a problem for years. I've seen and heard of the "envelope" system. Coming from a law enforcement background, I hate corruption.

[@TropicalDingdong]

when I asked my builder about expanding my roofline to have an extended lanai, they pretty much said you had to do this if you wanted to get permits. that was 2 years ago, but still.

[@AlbertO-yi2js]

I really enjoyed this videos, because I feel like you are truly speaking from your heart. You take the good and the bad that people say about you. Keep up the good work.

[@MarkFromHawaii]

That HGTV Renovation Aloha couple should have played by the rules. The program aired nationwide. What were they thinking?

[@countryvista6976]

They weren't thinking. LOL. Greed.

[@null1808]

I understand DPP is a problem; but circumventing it just because its slow and not working in order to execute unapproved repairs and make quick cash is wrong. These renovation Aloha people are also holding classes that I saw into the priced into paradise show where they are teaching people methods like this. THATS where I have a problem. Your breaking the law; than making money by teaching other people how to break the law? Its just another Hawaii grifter and it just ruins so much.

[@sandymoreno-crump8958]

Aloha Derek I was told by a reliable source that the only way to get a permit is to grease the palm which average is 20k and that's why you see so many bus up houses in Hawaii

[@PK-hw4uu]

Great video and DPP does have issues! Mahalo!

[@jeanellehorner]

Good transparency, Derek. GC background, investor, realtor. here. My thoughts. Maybe you can get right people to address. This slow process has been going on for 20+ years and has only gotten worse for all the reasons you mentioned. But…what about. 1. Staff shortage. You mentioned “Incentive?” DPP salary is too low. Need a lot more trained and/or licensed engineers/architects to do reviews. Solution: Recruit by offering market salary. Sign on bonus, etc. Thought this was in the works…but where did that go? Union (HGEA?) needed to approve? Was it external hiring threatening to replace? (Not sure. I’m speculating. Don’t beat me up. Just discussing. ). Got lost in the shuffle somewhere as employees came and went. 2. New e-plans system in place. Great but still new. Likely will probably have hiccups and big learning curve. But what about the thousands of backlog permits in paper form- In the thousands? Not enough bodies to take care of backlog -still? That lady still waiting with ADU? Feel bad. Not Pono. But hers is the backlog. So DPP took care of short and quick issues with Bill 56 and quick online permitting system but backlogs - nope. Back to sfaffing, no? 3. Realtors - permit package through escrow. Due diligence. If you know work was recently done or in process, need to get that report and question. On new builds, always should have a certificate of occupancy issued. Also, for renos, check DPP online and see where permit is at. Public records. I would do that and advise. My duty to advise based on my knowledge and experience but also seek second inspection from my husband if needed - a licensed GC. Like you mentioned. Worth it for extra price. Free -if my client. 😂. Again, social media brought this old problem to light. Yay. Hopefully politicians will appropriate more money to fix this. Money talks..chaching 💰💸

[@musicmike1960]

Haters gonna hate...Doers do and others talk smack and hate those who can make it happen...You rock bro.

[@angelalegre9064]

Admittedly I listened while on the run, however, I didn't hear anything regarding why DPP is the problem or suggestions to how they can become better. Any chance we can a breakdown?

[@carlover4239]

DPP is a joke. Permits should not take more than 1-2 months.

[@keithfreitas2983]

The city Where I live in Southern California took memyy

[@SLOWBOAT2CHINA]

Depends what the permit is for

[@TropicalDingdong]

Flips is tough because so much of the housing stock on the island is distressed and there is no other way to get that house back to as livable state. West side we see houses falling over, becoming game rooms, burning down, you name it because no one even bothering to take on the property for a flip. Smaller companies coming in and buying for cash then getting them into a livable condition the most straightforward way to getting more housing stock and helping locals build the kind of wealth necessary to not have to leave island. There was a game room got busted my neighborhood and I KNOW the owner was getting a cut. Game room sat empty for YEAR S before then because it was just impossible for the owner to do the repairs, and the fact that parts were permitted were part of they couldn't sell. Ends up getting busted by the feds and then sold for cash. Now its flipped and back on the market. But by flipped I mean they actually fixed the real issues it had. Now its livable again. and instead of a game room for a neighbor, some family is gonna move in. Every one does better.

[@Kailuaplumber]

Mahalo Derek, We as Contractor's have to suffer through this process daily! I totally agreee that the DPP is the Problem and we as Local residence / Native Hawaiian will keep on paying the price until this problem is resolved. Me as a Hawaiian born and raised on the Islands started a Plumbing business for the ground up, we as contractor need work amd if we have to wait years we don't eat. The SAD part is as a LICENSE'S we have to follow the Rules or pay fines, have our license suspended or even revoked. We NEED CHANGE!

[@movingtohawaii]

@@Kailuaplumber we could use a dependable and skilled plumber in our Rolodex. Please reach out so we can have your info.

[@JWH808]

We need a state by state comparison. It’s not rocket science.

[@9-1-juan6]

You mention inspection by a GC, how much should one expect to pay for that service? (can get expensive if say you see 3 homes and you are finalizing your decision which one to go forward with)

[@movingtohawaii]

Good question. Typically you’d only do that for the one you have an accepted offer on.

[@movingtohawaii]

Oh and he charges $250 I think

[@keonikelly3794]

well said bruddah!

[@illmaticmonk808]

A yo my bad bro. Didnt mean to hurt your feelings with that realtor/flipper narrative assumption. You know just called it like i seen it. I mean this is a hawaii realty channel. Honestly i watch yall for mahe 😍 omg shes so fly.

[@Colorado-Silver]

When does a lanai count as square footage? Seems like in Florida and Arizona they have enclosed Arizona rooms or Florida rooms that May or may not be considered square footage. Tia

[@jamesmiyazawa]

Much respect to you but there’s a lot of ends justifying the means talk here. Also, the Le’s are now the ones who have to deal with unpermitted work when they try to sell the house. You can’t deny that sucks for them.

[@movingtohawaii]

@@jamesmiyazawa I agree. Assuming the home is as bad as they’re implying or really just if it has shady work period, that sucks!

[@michaellatta]

As I see it, DPP left them no choice. They should have fully permitted the work and used licensed contractors. But if that means no profit it becomes unworkable. This does make me worry about the quality of flips. I was once told never buy a model home because of how fast they are thrown up. I would hope a flipper well documents the work well enough to count like an inspection. It does sound like DPP is getting faster.

[@oneblondemom]

my complaint is that these are not 2 "hop on the popular bus" and plowing through with nefarious goals. they have been married for 20+ years, Trystn has always seem drawn to helping others, Kamohai has been sober for 20yrs, and they seem genuine about helping others. get off the people trying to do good. it's n nauseating to hear the drone of jealousy and bitterness. these 2 are precious and hard working...get off their neck.

[@christinehirabayashi9598]

The Le's can go back up to 6yrs after close and things were not disclosed.

[@skitsotrader141]

Choke reasons why it's forever ever...

[@ashho313]

The island not supposed to. Be built out so. Bad. It was never like this in the 1970s. Have u seen the population increase. In 15 years.

[@Lkdnh]

No one should be allowed to bend the rules. You're not special, everyone has to follow rules they may not agree with. If it doesn't make financial sense you should not be in that business. As long as there are laws and regulations they need to be followed until it changes. Should I be allowed to tell a cop, so what the speed limit is 50, my car can go 150 why shouldn't I be able to drive 150.

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

You have to pay 💰 under the table for fast permits that’s how it is and the government is not fixing the real problem.

[@jonreedy467]

That doesn’t even work in Hawaii. The system is beyond broken.

[@KefeUfah]

😅😅😅watNewcuz🪦✔️💉✔️⌛️✔️

[@keithfreitas2983]

In the city where I live in Southern California took me 7 months to get permits to do a ADU. All the plans also had to get approval from the School District who levied a fee. Then there was a recycling fee of $7k. Total $15k.

[@malamawestside]

That is just insane .