Honolulu after the fact permits

[Jerry Murphy]

Hello,

I have an Aiea townhouse. A few years back we enclosed the two car garage. We added a bathroom shower and kitchenette (no stove).  The contractor is gone. I live out of state and do not have blueprints. 

I want to get permits to turn the added units into an ADU (accessory dwelling unit). If I try to get a permit will the government of Honolulu make my life hell? I have heard urban legends of people who have had to move their tenants out and tear down the repairs and start over, and pay for demolition permits and all sorts of craziness. But the stories are all from 'someone who knew someone' or 'someone heard once'. In a sane world, the government would say thanks for helping to relieve the housing shortage that we caused with our terrible policies.

Has anyone gotten an 'after the fact' permit? If so, how horrible was it?   

[Dexter Belleza]

I was applying for a refinance for my house and the appraiser suggested I do a after-the-fact permit.  A building contractor helped me with my after-the-fact permit. Because I was on a timeline for the refinance, the BC suggested I pay extra to "rush" the architects plans so it can be submitted to dept of plans & permitting.  He mentioned that it would take few weeks to get the permit approved.  I followed up with the BC after 2 weeks and he says the plans are its still in their queue for review.  I followed again in another 2 weeks for the status and I get the same reply, still in their queue for review.  The initial process for the permit started Jan 2017 and my  permit was issued Apr 2017.  From time to time there are stories in the Hawaii Star-Advertiser of backlogs and not enough people to review the plans.  Hope you have better luck.