Letters to the editor: 03-22-19

Not permitted

The purpose of a building permit is to ensure that plans and specifications for the building requiring the permit adhere to the building codes adopted by the authority having jurisdiction. This would be the Hawaii State Building Code Council (HSBCC). These codes are then to be enforced by the local county or city building department.

The codes adopted by the HSBCC include the International Building Code (IBC), National Electrical Code (NEC), Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the latter not being specifically written for public safety.

Generally speaking, when an application for a permit is requested, drawings and specifications are required by and scrutinized by the proper authority having jurisdiction for compliance with all applicable codes. After the permit is issued, it is then the responsibility of the local authority with juridiction to periodically inspect the project during construction to ensure that codes are being followed.

Currently there is a project under construction right in the middle of Kailua-Kona that has no permit. This would indicate that no plans or specifications have been submitted, therefore no plans or specifications have been reviewed for code compliance.

Considering the present dilemma in the Hawaii County Building Department with regards to permitting, who will take responsibility, in the event of a catastrophe, for the safety of the people who will occupy these buildings?

Paul Marcoff

Kailua-Kona