3 days ago
Kaimuki residents are calling for ‘monster home' to be torn down
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kaimuki residents have had it with a monster home at 3615 Sierra Dr.
'It's really just a disguised apartment house with inadequate parking so as a nearby resident I think it really should just be torn down,' one Kaimuki resident said.
How can Honolulu get rid of monster homes?
'Clearly from the get go, you could tell it was in violation,' another Kaimuki resident named Kaira said. 'Can it get torn down?'
The Department of Planning and Permitting revoked the building permit for 3615 Sierra Dr. three years ago after discrepancies were found with what was being built and the floor plans submitted to DPP, which shut down construction. Then in 2024, an appeal to the building board was also denied.
According to DPP, the property owner has since filed building permit applications to comply with the ordinance, which DPP said are under review.
No word on how long that will take.
'The owner must pay a triple fee penalty for the permit, and possibly remove any portions of the work that do not comply with the monster homes ordinance,' DPP said. 'They have also suffered losses to time and money spent on the original permit, and the non-use of the current, incomplete structure.'DPP also said it has been cracking down on monster homes thanks to new laws and measures.
Since 2022, DPP stated it has revoked 17 building permits.
City Council Chair Tommy Waters is also pushing Bill 33, which would make it easier for DPP to enforce the laws and hold violators responsible.
Meanwhile, residents are still left living next to this half-constructed monstrosity. They said it's a magnet for illegal activity and an eyesore.
'I don't think you can let these houses just sit there derelict indefinitely,' Kaimuki resident Elaine Evans said.
'Unfortunately this monster home is very visible, that's the problem,' a resident named Daniel added. 'And I got to say it's just ugly.'
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Honolulu City Council will be discussing Bill 33 at its meeting on May 29.
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