Jack Roden - July 2025

This month, Governor Josh Green signed two bills into law that may significantly reshape how housing is developed in Hawaii. SB66, now Act 295, and SB15, now Act 293, both signed on July 1, address long-standing challenges in the permitting process and outdated historic preservation rules. Their passage represents a coordinated effort to make building in Hawaii faster, fairer, and more focused on real needs.

SB66/Act 295 introduces a new permitting pathway designed to inject predictability into what has long been an unpredictable system. Starting July 1, 2026, qualifying housing projects that use a certified third-party reviewer will trigger a 60-business-day “shot clock” for county agencies to respond. If no decision is issued by the deadline, the permit is automatically approved. This doesn’t apply to shoreline or high-risk flood zones, and it’s limited to residential structures no taller than 30 feet. Still, it’s a major step toward accountability in a system often criticized for delay.

Meanwhile, SB15/Act 293 tackles a quieter but significant issue—how Hawaii defines historic properties. For decades, any building older than 50 years automatically triggered review by the State Historic Preservation Division, regardless of its actual significance. Under the new law, only structures that have been formally designated as historically or culturally important will require such oversight. The change is immediate and widely welcomed by builders and homeowners seeking to renovate without unexpected delays.

Together, these laws form part of a broader effort by the Green administration to address the state’s housing shortage. They join other bills like SB38, which expands housing finance tools, and HB422, which exempts certain school impact fees. While none of these measures alone will solve the crisis, they represent meaningful steps toward more efficient, responsive planning.

On Maui, these reforms carry special weight. With much of Lahaina awaiting reconstruction, and hundreds of families still displaced, speeding up housing production is both urgent and essential. The new rules won’t fix everything, but they may help Maui and the rest of the state build with greater clarity and confidence.

Sources: Governor's Press Office, July 1, 2025; Hawaii State Legislature; Hawaii Free Press