REPORT FROM THE CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU – The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) today temporarily suspended the building permits at a construction site on Hao Street in Aina Haina where two single-family homes are being built.
The permit suspension came a day after DPP received a letter from William Aila Jr., Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairman and State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) Officer, suggesting that the City stop the construction because SHPD believes a historic site may exist or existed.
The suspension is temporary while DPP considers SHPD’s recommendation that an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) be completed at the site.
SHPD does not have the authority to order a developer to suspend construction, but can make a recommendation to DPP, which is the permitting authority, to halt construction activity.
The property had not been flagged by SHPD and no records of historic sites were found in DPP files as being of cultural or historical significance. However, some community members have stepped forward and reported what they said were historic sites and asked that work be halted until an AIS is completed.
George Atta, DPP Director Designate, said DPP will use this time to meet with the developer, Residences at Aina Haina LLC, and SHPD to clarify SHPD’s request.