[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537804,"mediaKeyId","3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396","parentId",3429271,"title","County audit finds backlog, system gaps and training needs in Hawaii County building permit process; SB 66 could shift responsibilities","audioSeconds",2248,"startMs",2574000,"endMs",4822000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396&start=2574&end=4822","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396/thumbnail_2574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537804/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/County-audit-finds-backlog-system-gaps-and-training-needs-in-Hawaii-County-building-permit-process-SB-66-could-shift-responsibilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537804-55a6eeaef0ede11ba7d0d916a7ef50e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444417&Signature=KWccMULy0qLUgAJINWS-CbAaG9p-Rk8-9vAR4K04ZehISwU3Uyr64be1ozp8AF82zgZ6tT5KV0y9KsVBUkBrVHj9iQW2r4nmip-cx0ig6Wp2uZzHtRGEYe-EbNPw7rM23NGw1JJGrcdmS-FbC7jlI4dkRVh9F4Tb2TvkQdtzhK0uIVcIG8QSHHy8OeyM8JReJaq780p3HJ-hWYgQFgNKRWGsww~Fze7x129aVsYED7nG8XrHmJaqLzx2ANNuaEtKMIx8yhlYeLZbkme7m01rFIDsMpHZUtkoar-SuX7eD031cBgYkW4FSk1xfMAltfovjLQlriSftHQVrCcMxX1Djw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii County","date","2025-05-20T13:30:00Z","article","The Office of the County Auditor presented a performance audit of the Department of Public Works (DPW) building-division permit process to the Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee on May 20, identifying systemic issues that contribute to permit delays and recommending 29 actions to improve timeliness, quality and transparency.

Tyler Benner, county auditor, said auditors analyzed application data from July 26, 2021 to March 31, 2024, interviewed DPW staff and stakeholders, and conducted ride-alongs with inspectors. Audit team members reported 13 findings and 29 recommendations; management largely agreed and provided a detailed SMART action plan (report pages 93–131).

Key findings included: (1) volume pressures — approximately 15,600 permits received vs. about 11,100 processed in the period reviewed and average incoming 16 applications per day to 12 processed per day, creating a backlog; (2) time-measurement distortions where the department treats incomplete submissions as outside processing timelines, producing statistical but not operational improvement; (3) redundant data collection across portal steps; (4) manual rework and legacy processes; (5) no consistent contact validation; (6) outdated forms and not using digital signature capabilities; (7) lack of standard completeness criteria and a formal complaint process; and (8) inspection inconsistencies, limited management oversight, insufficient ongoing training, and Epic system limitations such as lack of role-based access controls, unrestricted backdating, inaccurate geolocation, and missing exception reporting.

The auditors recommended a three-pronged strategy: reduce volume (exempt low-risk permits, expand self-certification where appropriate), improve processing time (date-driven prioritization, automation, provisional permits), and simplify complexity (clear guidance, updated policies, Epic enhancements, and Lean/Six Sigma assistance).

Audit staff noted that inspectors appreciate consistent inspection practices, and that inspection delays can nullify permit-processing gains. The audit also reported that the fraud, waste and abuse hotline received calls related to potential abuse; auditors said investigations of individual actions are handled separately from the process audit.

The audit referenced a state proposal, Senate Bill 66, then pending with the governor, which would establish a 60-day decision window for counties: when plans are certified by a licensed design professional and meet requirements, a county’s failure to act within 60 days would result in automatic approval. Auditor Benner said SB 66 aligns with many audit recommendations and would likely require Hawaii County to amend Chapter 5 of the construction administrative code and revise administrative rules if enacted; the governor’s sign-or-veto deadline was June 24, 2025.

DPW provided a written management response with time-bound actions and committed to a May 23 Epic (EnerGov) upgrade. Committee members discussed training (International Code Council offerings and recent IECC trainings), Epic enhancements (role-based access, exception reporting, inspector and code-compliance modules), staffing and zonal coverage for inspectors, priority queues, third-party review and self-certification concerns (liability, insurance and lender impacts), and the need for clearer assignment of responsibility to implement action items.

Auditors and department staff agreed that information-technology analysts and permit-optimization resources (including a permit optimization manager contracted through the mayor’s office) are supporting data analysis and implementation planning. The committee asked for a clear Gantt chart or project plan that assigns responsibility for recommended actions and for a public tracking mechanism to follow implementation progress.

A motion to close file on Communication 272 was made and seconded; the committee recorded the communication closed after discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaii County - Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A May 2025 performance audit of Hawaii County’s building-permit process identified 13 findings and 29 recommendations, flagging higher application volumes than processing capacity, portal and inspection inconsistencies, and Epic system gaps; auditors said a pending state bill (SB 66) could shift responsibilities to licensed professionals and align with several recommendations.","taxTitle","Hawaii County, Hawaii","taxId",12825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537810,"County auditor: most ViVi grantees met goals but reporting gaps and inconsistent metrics hinder oversight",1990,554000,2544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396&start=554&end=2544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396/thumbnail_554000.jpg","/articles/6537810/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/County-auditor-most-ViVi-grantees-met-goals-but-reporting-gaps-and-inconsistent-metrics-hinder-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537810-391e7f626b64b5a6cf14f710f2c63ca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444417&Signature=fPf6ZAeFO0CtEJ~OVO6UMi8PLId773Cxvp0ubCqWoVkJ7SKQaq8M97Q0UeRutQa0lbIIlmC4dhbn8JIXB9MxJEVPA~eJhCy67DdenU7sHu77G4J89m9ArrdB0nWmKnY5RudhN0rmDHvDcmJ7x-guI7y3VTU94rQpcDWG7KtQ5iR3xvSxKCkfeAXRb9EX2RGkvNEHjBFIgZcePzJHFKPngkZLD~6Doy2K89pPa9GD12v7JqFduqBaGzOksw8MnmNAnn0gpHy7d5i7fPIqh-2XtxFLOCqCLoqjQGbLBrOdB~hZ~F6dqONxnTqSJSSRqAGbYV3dUXErvo85sRaJJQsvQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county auditor presented a compliance review of the ViVi (grant-in-aid) program to the Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee on May 20, summarizing findings from a sample of nonprofit grantees that receive Hawaii County funding.

Tyler Benner, county auditor, introduced the review and said it focused on grantee compliance with reporting requirements for fiscal year 2023–24. Jasmine Santos, the lead auditor for the review, told the committee the auditors examined a sample of 31 of the 69 participating nonprofit organizations (about 44.9% of organizations) and 33 of 75 funded programs. Those sampled programs accounted for $1,187,500 of the $2,497,500 appropriated (approximately 47.6% of the appropriation). Santos said two organizations included in the original population were later found ineligible and had not been awarded funding; that change was reflected in the scope calculation.

The report used a standardized rating system (a crosswalk on page 38 of the report) to categorize performance as exceeds expectations, meets expectations, or needs improvement. Auditors concluded most grantees met or exceeded contractual goals and delivered meaningful services, but they also identified late or incomplete reporting, insufficient documentation to verify some deliverables, and variability in how organizations defined outputs (for example, household counts versus meals versus individuals), which made comparison difficult.

The auditors recommended enhancing monitoring during the performance period, offering training and technical assistance to grantees, refining performance metrics and reporting templates, and improving the county’s grant oversight tools. Council members urged the auditor’s office to provide a higher-level summary of common errors (rather than organization-level findings for a selective sample) and to provide technical assistance to grantees. The auditor’s office said it would provide additional information offline and noted that the selective sample limited the fairness of direct organization-to-organization comparisons.

Council members discussed aligning the ViVi program more closely with federal standards and conducting a needs assessment before the next application cycle, so the program can better direct funds to county priorities. The committee also discussed grant management software and convening grantees before a system rollout to reduce friction.

The committee voted to close file on Communication 270. Councilmember Honeko Goro Inaba moved to close; Councilmember Kagiwada seconded; the committee recorded the communication as closed.","The county auditor reviewed a sample of ViVi nonprofit grantees for FY2023–24, finding most met expectations yet noting late or incomplete reporting, inconsistent deliverable metrics across grantees, and opportunities for more monitoring, technical assistance and code alignment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537813,"Hawaii County liquor control department finalizes department travel policy to take effect July 1",203,52000,255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396&start=52&end=255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429271-ca9bc85aebabc69a7dad662284335396/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6537813/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Hawaii-County-liquor-control-department-finalizes-department-travel-policy-to-take-effect-July-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537813-e152e79895f477b26753510184275078/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444417&Signature=lGssVLC6X2n-CkrFYhL0QHF2I6uQKxz~ESQSfliB8hWkbQsV3yrDGi-9EjlASQuePS4FgN-PHcIRw1O8i5rQcsrwZQv0wrrLpQ7DynTDM8Qi3es54ZNnGFiwhbXRzzan7IHHFdKGHcCLtx5bMZ4ktRNHPSgQMoDcO9KSl0pVhoqyewHicj~BBBl7PbDb0tP7ALd-QzbqfS4Az8JfH2Q2vqJhSjC52BJCKKnbGSnKY3uRmpMfwQ~S4o~xe1DQJYEoVDMQ-4u8bA5WvagvoMLjZ6v63H5TTjr9GobHSVI9BLMFAAA9bhgMG7XVEufBhJhCnKPZ3vVAoYzELxeIK0WVsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Liquor Control told the Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee on May 20 that it has implemented three recommendations from a recent county audit and will put a department-level travel policy into effect on July 1, 2025.

Brandon Gonzalez, administrative officer for the Department of Liquor Control, said, \"The audit provided 3 recommendations to the department and, the department has implemented all 3 recommendations.\" Gonzalez told the committee the policy includes a department-level travel policy (developed from an auditor template), a need- and role-based prioritization framework for travel, and reinstated Sunshine Law and ethics training for board members and staff.

The council sought clarification on how the policy takes effect and whether the department’s adjudication board, the commission and the Board of Ethics had signed off. Gonzalez said the commission reviewed the policy at a May 1 public meeting and had no objections; he said the board that adjudicates liquor violations does not meet monthly and had not yet signed. \"Not yet. But when we do, we can share that with you folks,\" Gonzalez told the committee when asked whether a signed copy was available.

Tyler Benner, county auditor, reminded the committee of a Board of Ethics finding tied to the policy. Benner said the Board of Ethics had recommended that the department take the policy before both the board and the commission for signatures, and that the department return to those bodies for new signatures if the policy is subsequently changed. \"When the Board of Ethics issued their opinion on it, they said that you should take this in front of the commission and the board. They should sign off on it and then if there's any changes being made to it, that they should again take it before those bodies and get a new signature,\" Benner said.

Committee members asked how the policy will be stored and enforced. Gonzalez said the department will keep the policy in its administrative files and that the fiscal/HR assistant will maintain the physical copy and compliance tracking. The committee chair said the commission could request status updates (for example during the department’s annual review) to check compliance.

The committee voted to close file on Communication 178.2. Councilmember Honeko Goro Inaba moved to close the file; Councilmember Kerkowitz seconded. The motion carried and the committee recorded the communication as closed.

The committee requested the signed policy once available and thanked the auditor and department staff for acting on the audit recommendations.","The Department of Liquor Control told the council its internal travel policy incorporates three audit recommendations and will take effect July 1, 2025; the county auditor and council asked that the Board of Ethics and the commission sign or re-sign the policy and that a signed copy be provided to the council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County audit finds backlog, system gaps and training needs in Hawaii County building permit process; SB 66 could shift responsibilities

County auditor: most ViVi grantees met goals but reporting gaps and inconsistent metrics hinder oversight

Hawaii County liquor control department finalizes department travel policy to take effect July 1