HBR News

Bills Allow for Accessory Dwelling Units

Details: Category: City Affairs Blog; Published: May 13, 2015

Oahu’s affordable housing crisis, and affordable rental units in particular, is expected to see some relief with the passage of Bills 20 and 21, which allow for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or “ohana housing” as part of the Mayor’s Housing Strategy.

Bill 20 would eliminate the requirement that an ohana unit be for immediate family only. The bill also eliminates the requirement that the unit be attached to or entirely contained within the main house, and allows for only one required off-street parking space, instead of two. The bill requires a minimum three-month rental period for any tenant.

City Council to Set Next Year's Budget

Details: Category: City Affairs Blog; Published: May 8, 2015

Honolulu City Council is in the process of setting the city budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. This key piece of public policy is important to property owners because it determines the city's priorities and sets the real property tax rate, which will be applied this July.

BIA Champions Change in Historic Preservation Law

Details: Category: City Affairs Blog; Published: May 8, 2015

The Hawaii state legislature has passed H.B. 830, C.D. 1, SHPD Exemption.

Oahu County Surcharge In the News

Details: Category: City Affairs Blog; Published: May 4, 2015

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) received $65 million in General Excise and Use Tax (GET) surcharge revenue this past quarter for construction of the Honolulu rail project. GET surcharge revenue for the quarter running from January to March of this year was about $9 million above projections for the quarter based on the project’s financial plan.