The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council on Sept. 4, 2024.
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Sept. 4, 2024, 10 a.m.
Honolulu Hale
To: Honolulu City Council
Tommy Waters, Chair
Esther Kiaʻāina, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: Bill 53 (2024) — RELATING TO THE SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA
Aloha Chair Waters, Vice-Chair Kiaʻāina and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 53 (2024), which would amend Honolulu ordinances relating to the special management area in order to incorporate changes to the state’s Coastal Zone Management Law.
More particularly, the bill looks to reduce permit reviews, Honolulu City Council hearings and the need for Council approval for projects in special management areas that do not warrant a high level of scrutiny.
Permitting delays continue to plague Honolulu, contributing to the high cost of housing and home repairs. By reducing the number of approvals required for development and expanding the list of repairs and changes that fall outside of that definition, this bill would help mitigate some of the delay and expense associated with improvements in special management areas.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
