Committee postpones charter amendment to create Department of Building after cost and scope concerns

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs discussed Bill 68 (draft 3) on Oct. 21, a proposed charter amendment to establish a standalone Department of Building. The bill would amend Article 6 of the County Charter (2024 edition) to create a director of building (appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council), and a building codes commission to advise the mayor, council and director on construction and building-code matters.

Committee members agreed the concept has merit—several said consolidating permitting and building-related functions could streamline permitting—but most said the current fiscal climate and the measure’s projected cost make immediate implementation unwise. “Given the significant cost, I think now is not the right time for it given all of our, other financial challenges,” Councilmember Galimba said. Councilmember Kimball said the measure’s price tag “is pretty concerning,” and noted improvements already underway in the Department of Public Works, including audit-recommended hires that have shortened processing times.

Committee members repeatedly endorsed the bill’s proposal for a building codes commission while urging the drafters to separate that idea from the larger department-creation proposal so it can be considered independently. Councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfelder asked for clear “metrics of success” before authorizing establishment of a new department and the associated $6.5 million standing-up cost referenced in the discussion; she asked what measures the county would use to judge whether the change improved permitting, noting the cost would need clear performance indicators.

Members asked for a more detailed financial analysis, including a breakdown of which positions would move from Planning and the Department of Public Works into the new department and whether space, rent and salary impacts were double-counted in the current estimates. Councilmember Inaba said she continued to support the idea but requested a more accurate financial analysis. Director Nakagawa was thanked for providing figures on costs and space requirements, which committee members said merit further study.

After discussion, Councilmember Eustace moved and Councilmember Reina seconded a motion to postpone Bill 68 (draft 3) to the call of the chair. The clerk conducted a roll call and reported seven votes in favor, Councilmember Onishi opposed and Councilmember Kurkowitz absent; the motion carried and the bill was postponed to a later committee meeting for further work and analysis.

No public testimony was recorded on the bill at the committee meeting.

The postponement leaves open several follow-up items requested by committee members: a clearer financial analysis of the staffing and space impacts if positions are transferred from Planning and DPW, specific metrics for measuring permitting performance if a new department is created, and consideration of advancing the building codes commission as a separate measure.