Public Works Engineering

• Where do I submit my permit application?

  All Engineering Division permit applications shall be submitted to the Engineering Division office. For work located in West Hawaiʻi, please submit to the West Hawaiʻi (Kona) office.  For work located in East Hawaiʻi, please submit to the East Hawaii (Hilo) office.

  East Hawaiʻi (Hilo)
  Aupuni Center
  101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7
  Hilo, HI 96720

  West Hawaiʻi (Kona)
  West Hawaiʻi Civic Center
  74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
  Bldg D, 1st Floor
  Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

• What agenices review the permit applications?

  For Grading, Grubbing, Stockpiling

  1. State of Hawaiʻi, State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD)
  2. County of Hawaiʻi, Planning Department
  3. County of Hawaiʻi, Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Engineering Division

  (Note: DPW, Engineering Division does not have jurisdiction over the review time frame of SHPD or the Planning Department.)

  For Private Waterline Installation, Publication Dispenser, Sidewalk Use, and Work within the County Right-of-Way:

  1. County of Hawaiʻi, Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Engineering Division

  For Convex Mirror (For Private Driveway/Street and County Road), and Convex Mirror (For Two County Roads):

  1. County of Hawaiʻi, Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Traffic Division
  2. County of Hawaiʻi, Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Highway Maintenance Division
  3. County of Hawaiʻi, Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Engineering Division

  (Note: DPW, Engineering Division does not have jurisdiction over the review time frame of DPW, Traffic Division, or Highway Maintenance.)

• When does a permit application require State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) review?

  The following permit applications require State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) review:

  • Grading
  • Grubbing
  • Stockpiling

  
  

  The permit applicant is required to submit a SHPD HRS 6E Submittal Form with their permit application and plans. The Engineering Division will route the SHPD HRS 6E Submittal Form, permit applications, plans, and any pertinent documents to SHPD for review. Once SHPD's review is complete, SHPD will issue a letter stated their findings.

  • If SHPD recommends the permit process to proceed, the Engineering Division will route the permit application to the Planning Department for review.
  • If SHPD requires additional documentation, the applicant will need to provide the additional documentation to SHPD within the specified timeframe. The Engineering Division will not route the permit application to the Planning Department for review until a revised SHPD letter stating recommendation for the permit process to proceed is issued.

  
  

• How long does the permit process take?

  The permit processing time varies depending on the scope of work, thoroughness of provided plans and how many permit applications are currently in the processing queue at the time of submission.

• How do I check on the Status of my Permit Application?

  If you are the applicant, you can check on the status of your permit application by contacting the Engineering Division office where your application was submitted. East Hawaiʻi Office: (808) 961-8327 / West Hawaiʻi Office: (808) 323-4850.

• Where can I viewed the Flood Maps?

  The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) can be viewed at the State of Hawaii’s Flood Hazard Assessment Tool (FHAT) – Flood Map Viewer.

  (Note: Video Tutorial on How to View the Flood Maps on the FHAT)

• What are the regulatory requirements for development and construction within a floodplain?

  The floodplain regulations are provided within Hawaii County Code, Chapter 27 – Floodplain Management. Chapter 27 is enacted pursuant to the U.S. National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Public Laws 90-418 and 91-152), as amended, and the U.S. Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-234), as amended.

  For inquiries on a specific property:

  1. Determine the flood zone for the area of interest. The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for the State of Hawaii can be viewed at the State of Hawaii’s Flood Hazard Assessment Tool (FHAT) – Flood Map Viewer.
  2. Determine whether the area of interest is within a high-risk flood hazard area (Zones A, AE, AH, AO, V, VE).
  3. Review Hawaii County Code, Chapter 27 – Floodplain Management to determine which regulations are applicable. Below is a brief summary of the floodplain regulation standards:

  Chapter 27, Article 4: Standards

  • Section 27-17: Certification Standards
    • Elevation Certificate (Pre and Post Construction
    • Special Flood Hazard Area Certification (For Zones A, AE, AH, AO)
    • Special Flood Hazard Area Certification (For Zones V, VE)
    • Floodproofing Certificate (For Non-Residential Structures)
  • Section 27-18: Standards for Construction
    • Anchoring
    • Construction Methods, and Methods
    • Encroachments
    • Zone AE, AH Elevation and Floodproofing Requirements
    • Zone AO Elevation and Floodproofing Requirements
  • Section 27-19: Standards for Utilities
    • Water Supply, Sanitary Sewage System, Cesspool, Septic Tanks
  • Section 27-20: Standards for Subdivisions and Other Developments
  • Section 27-21: Standards for Manufactured Homes
  • Section 27-22: Standards for Floodways (Zone AE – Floodway)
  • Section 27-23: Standards for Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zone V, or VE)
  • Section 27-24: Standards for General Floodplain (Zone A)
  • Section 27-25. Standards for Improvements Adjacent to Drainage Facilities
  • Section 27-26: Storm Drainage Standards