Last-ditch effort afoot to kill housing bill aimed at boosting density in residential areas

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A last-ditch effort is underway to kill a bill on track to become law that supporters say is meant to tackle Hawaii’s housing crisis.

But opponents include residents and a top city lawmaker.

In Hawaii, some apartment buildings can legally have hundreds of residential units in them, but some buildings on residentially zoned lots are only allowed one or two.

A bill making its way through the state Legislature could increase that. But some are worried it could change their neighborhoods forever.

The current language in SB3202 says it will “allow for at least two additional dwelling units, which shall be considered accessory to any dwelling unit or residential unit duly permitted by ordinance.”

But some of the bill’s critics say it will also allow for lots to be split so people can essentially double dip on the new changes.

Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has spent years fighting against monster homes and says it’s a step backwards.

“What the bill does is, it takes a normal size lot and allows the owner to split it into pieces,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters.

“Up to 2,000 square feet each lot and you can put three houses on them.”

State Rep. Luke Evslin of Kauai introduced the House version of the bill.

“The real intention here is just to make it as easy as possible for people to have multi-generational households,” said Evslin. “We made that so difficult for people to have multigenerational households that it is pushing people out of Hawaii.”

The bill seems to be getting backing by many other state lawmakers including the executive director of the non-profit Housing Hawai’i’s Future.

“This bill is needed because large homes on large lots are unaffordable,” said Sterling Higa, with the non-profit. “So instead of having a huge lot with a big home on it, what if you had three or potential four smaller homes that are going to be more affordable for every day people.”

Chuck Prentiss is a retired urban planner who worked decades for the city before retiring and shares concerns about how it could change neighborhoods.

“It would look different because, you would have a greater density and it would look more like Chinatown than a suburban community,” said Prentiss.

But those in favor are pushing back saying it’s all about allowing more opportunity to own a home in Hawaii

“A monster home is often 10-15 illegal units within a massive building. This doesn’t allow any of it,” said Evslin. Supporters say even if the bill get approved by the state legislature, land owners would still need to get a new permit approved by their county in order to be able to take advantage of the new law.

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