Hawaiʻi County has reduced waiting time for building permits due to a new task force formed by Mayor Kimo Alameda.

The following data highlights differences in permitting progress between the first half of 2025 vs. the first half of 2024:

• All Permit Types: Average duration of permit review and approval process has been reduced by 66%, from nearly five months to under two months.

• Residential New Construction: Average duration of permit review and approval process has been reduced by 69%, from more than six months to about two months.

• Residential Rooftop Solar: Average duration of permit review and approval process has been reduced by 61%, with most approvals now completed in just over one month.

Changes made based on the task force’s recommendations include increased training for staff and the public, weekly permit tracking and reporting, filling long-vacant positions, and processes that allow for flexibility, such as corrections to applications that can be made over the phone.

Local contractors and business owners say they are noticing the improvements.

Additionally, the County is planning to launch a pilot program to streamline residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) permits by providing approval through the intake process.