The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu Charter Commission on Feb. 23, 2026.
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Feb. 23, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
Honolulu Hale
To: Honolulu Charter Commission
Dawn Szewczyk, Chair
Sommerset Yamamoto, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: P240 — RELATING TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Aloha Chair Szewczyk, Vice Chair Yamamoto and other members of the Commission,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports proposed Charter amendment P240, which would allow the creation of more than one zoning board of appeals.
The current Board of Variances and Appeals is woefully behind on hearing and determining variance requests and appeals. Reporting from Honolulu Civil Beat found that the BVA has a backlog of 270 cases, all but 11 of which relate to short-term rentals.[1]
Delays associated with variance requests and appeals cause headaches for applicants who would like to know whether their short-term rental is legal and for property owners wanting relief from strict zoning codes.
Allowing the creation of more than one of these boards would also give clarity to Department of Planning and Permitting staff regarding whether their interpretations of the zoning code will be upheld.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] Matthew Leonard, “Windward Oʻahu Senior Housing Stalls Amid Zoning Appeals Backlog,” Honolulu Civil Beat, Oct. 14, 2025.
