Hawaii County officials say they could be a year away from relaunching an online building permit tracking system.
Hawaii County officials say they could be a year away from relaunching an online building permit tracking system.
A less-costly system was put in place in 2011, but it ran into problems and was at least temporarily taken down.
Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, said the previous administration signed a contract with another vendor — Tyler Technologies — last year, and various departments are continuing to work with them to get it ready. In the meantime, he said they are looking at ways to revise the work flow for handling permits.
“We have to relook and redesign the work flow system, all the steps and who needs to be part of the steps,” he said last month. “This process of developing the work flow systems and testing it will take a year.”
The Tyler Technologies’ contract is for $2.3 million. The contract with the previous vendor, Computer Software Inc., was $318,270.
The overall goal, as with the previous system, is to allow permits to be filed and tracked online.
“Now, instead of passing around paper … it just gets broadcast to all of the reviewers at once,” Takemoto said. He said the previous vendor’s software is still being used but will be taken down once the new system goes live.
Tani Matsubara, Hawaii Island Contractors Association president, said she looks forward to seeing the process streamlined and get it into the “21st century.”
“For us, as an association, that’s what we’re always trying to do,” she said. “Everything can be done electronically now.”
Planning Director Michael Yee said the county might phase in the new system.
“It’s been quite clear trying to relocate your permits online at once is not very good,” he said. “Every county has failed trying to do that.”
Rob Tucker, owner of Modular Farm Buildings, said his suggestions for the county include preapproving package homes to help expedite the permit process.
“The need for many building permits should be examined,” he said. “… Why endlessly plan check the same plans over and over and over?”
Interpretation of the building code is another issue for Tucker, who said the building department was incorrectly telling his customers that his modular buildings need a permit even if built on agriculture land. He said that’s not the case and recently got a letter from the county supporting his view.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.