• Little progress on a new system to allow private engineers to sign off on building plans.

• Waits in line of up to five hours at a time.

• Unforeseen requirements that delay projects even further.

Those seeking permits line up before dawn, and often have to return repeatedly if there are glitches. Developers say projects worth millions have been delayed while the paperwork wait drags on. Homeowners who want to renovate, or build from scratch, frequently face having to put plans on hold.

Officials say they are making progress, citing nine recent hires, a separate line to pay for permits and a part-time staffed information booth. But O'ahu's building boom and the retirement of seasoned employees make for an overwhelmed and understaffed office, they say.

With blueprints in hand, a permit applicant joins the lines early in the morning at the Municipal Building. Others arrived as early as 4:30 a.m. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Denise White works on a puzzle book while waiting for her number to be called. She has been to the permits office three times and still must return. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The first trip there was a bust, White said, because she left after realizing she had started too late in the day to make any progress.

The second time, she arrived at 5:40 a.m. and was third in line — a coveted spot that guarantees immediate counter service when the office opens at 7:45 a.m., because there are usually four clerks on duty.

"It's like the military — hurry up and wait," White said, maintaining friendly banter with other people waiting. "Everybody comes real early and you wait."

Even though she made progress on the second visit, there was more to be done.

Last week, she arrived at 5:50 a.m., and was seventh in line — the first person arrived at 4:30 a.m. She hoped to get out by noon until she realized that she didn't have all her paperwork.

'Need more people'

Harry Saunders, president of Castle & Cooke Homes, said millions of dollars in Castle & Cooke projects have been delayed two to six months in some cases. Saunders said he's hopeful, however, because of a positive change in the city's attitude toward fixing the system.

Henry Eng, head of the Planning and Permitting Department, said the department, under new leadership since January, took a hard look at its operations and called on industry groups to discuss the permit delays.

"There is unanimity, both internally and externally, in the assessment that DPP is both understaffed and inadequately supported by resources," Eng said. "The need for increased staffing and resources cannot be overstated."

The department has a list of possible solutions, including:

• Third-party review and self-certification that would allow the private sector to assist in reviewing plans.

• Greater computerization.

• Developing clearer, simpler requirements.

Take a number and wait: Early arrivals get to the counter first; applicants who don't arrive early might wait as long as five hours. The city Department of Planning and Permitting says it needs about 49 to 59 more workers and hopes to fill about 40 of those slots. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Patrick Onishi, president of the Hawai'i chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said recent efforts by the department should bring about noticeable changes in several months. Staffing and help with the process are two things that will ease the burden there, Onishi said.

"The issue of permitting is exacerbated by the fact that there's so much (building) activity and then staffing has been reduced," Onishi said. "I know over the last five to eight years there's really been a loss of tenured staffing in that department."

The department is authorized to have 299 workers. Right now it is anywhere from 49 to 59 people short, said Eng, who wants to get about 40 of those positions filled. Once someone is hired, training takes six months to a year, he said.

Expediting process

City employee Philip Cole looks over the blueprints for an addition to Denise White's house. On her first visit, she arrived too late; the second time and third times, she found that there was still more to be done. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

One person has been approved to perform the third-party reviews and a few others have expressed an interest in the process that allows engineers or architects to approve plans, Eng said.

Under the system, the city will retain the sole authority to issue permits, but will allow "third-party review" of plans by the private sector as a way to expedite the process and reduce a backlog of permit applications.