07-30-2025, 03:22 AM
This situation came up in one of the questions at the mayor's meeting that happened in early June at the Pahoa Community Center. As it happened a while ago, and it was not something that was my top concern, anyone that has a better recollection please chime in.
The mayor said that this had been brought to the attention of the building code department, and that an inspector was scheduled to make a site visit within the next week or so. It was his ( the mayor's ) understanding that while 2 homes were allowed on one lot, the problem was with the 4 kitchens. Apparently even legal 'ohana' buildings can have a fridge and microwave, but no stove/oven. If the double duplexes have a full kitchen in each unit, it's a major code violation according to the mayor. What can be done about it, especially if the units are already rented out, was not addressed.
The mayor said that this had been brought to the attention of the building code department, and that an inspector was scheduled to make a site visit within the next week or so. It was his ( the mayor's ) understanding that while 2 homes were allowed on one lot, the problem was with the 4 kitchens. Apparently even legal 'ohana' buildings can have a fridge and microwave, but no stove/oven. If the double duplexes have a full kitchen in each unit, it's a major code violation according to the mayor. What can be done about it, especially if the units are already rented out, was not addressed.