Computer glitch affecting building should be fixed today

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HILO — Hawaii County anticipates fixing a software bug by today, allowing it to resume accepting building permit applications.

The computer system it relies on for processing permits went down April 16. That put all new applications on hold countywide for more than a week.

Public Works spokesman Barett Otani said the fix was anticipated to take 12 working hours.

“This will bring full functionality back online,” he said in an email.

Applications are submitted to the Planning Department.

During the downtime, the county processed 81 permits, Otani said.

The county still plans to upgrade its building permit software, which would allow for multiple agencies to review applications at once electronically. It also would add more features online for applicants.

But Otani said the system isn’t now expected to launch until 2020.