HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0376.008 2024-2026A
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HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
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October 7, 2025 1 —C-
01 CD c
To: The Honorable Jenn Kagiwada, Chair —Ir'
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The Honorable Matt Kaneali i-Kleinfelder Vice Chair -- _ "-
77
Members of the Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee 4=
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Re: In Strong Opposition of Resolution Bill 68, Draft 3
Aloha Chair Kagiwada, Vice Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, and Members of the Committee:
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, representing over 6,000 hardworking men and
women across the islands, submits this testimony in strong opposition to Bill 68. Draft 3, which
would create a new Department of Building under the County Charter.
On paper, this proposal might sound like a way to improve efficiency. But in practice, it would
only add more layers of government without solving the real problems. It separates
responsibilities that already work together and makes the process even more confusing for the
people who actually have to build something on this island.
The Department of Public Works already handles building permits, inspections, and code
enforcement. If those duties are split apart, we're not fixing the system, we're duplicating it.
That means more meetings, more coordination, more delays, and higher costs for taxpayers. It
also makes it harder to know who is responsible when things go wrong.
There's no evidence that creating a new department will make permits move any faster. The
delays we all hear about are caused by understaffing, outdated technology, and inconsistent
communication, not by the department's name. This proposal doesn't address any of those
issues. It just adds one more layer to an already complicated system.
Another major concern is that this would be written into the County Charter. That means if it
doesn't work, we can't fix it without another public vote. Charter amendments should be
reserved for big questions of governance, not for internal reorganizations that can be handled
through better management and accountability.
STATE HEADQUARTERS & BUSINESS OFFICES
OAHU: 1311 HoughtaNing Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96817-2712 • Ph. (BOB) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
HHOOFFICE: 525 Kilauea Avenue, Room 205,HIlo, Hawaii 96720.3050 Ph.(B08)935-B575Fax(808)935-8576
KONAOFFICE: 75-126 Lunapule Road,Kailua-Kona, Hawall 96740-2106 Ph.(808)329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAN OFFICE: 330 Hookahi Street,Walluku,Mau196793-1449 • Ph. (808) 242-6891 Fax (BOB) 242-5961
KAUAIOFFICE: Bahia Medical Ctr Bldg,3-3295 Kahle Hwy,Sulte 201;LIhue,Kaual96766-3040 • Ph. (BOB) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
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Every delay in permitting means fewer projects breaking ground. That translates into fewer
paychecks for local tradespeople and slower progress on the homes our families need. We
should be focused on improving the system we already have by hiring more staff, upgrading
technology, and improving communication, not creating another bureaucracy.
For these reasons, we respectfully ask the Council to vote no on Bill 68.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Mark Anthony Clemente
Government Relations
Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters