Heady hopes that accessory dwelling units (ADUs), incentivizing single-family homeowners to help ease the rental shortage, have fallen short. Homeowners have found the add-on of a separate-entry living unit cumbersome, despite the city in 2016 waiving fees for such things as building and grading permits, inspections and sewer connections.

But Oahu’s ADU ordinance came just in time for D.R. Horton, developer of the masterplanned Ho‘opili in Ewa: it has sold 35 ADUs attached to new homes, about 10% of the community’s mix. ADU rules forbid short-term vacation rental, requiring at least six-month occupancy. Let’s hope this new community remains residential where it’s supposed to.

A damper on parcel in Kaneohe

Kaneohe is a bit hilly and crisscrossed by streams. Residents like it that way, but it does result in crowding and poor circulation on streets that dead-end here and there.

A 3.4-acre parcel bumps up against Kaneohe Stream in Puohala Village, and that’s what the owner wants rezoned for eight residential lots.

The neighbors have protested. Looking at aerials of the site, it does seem cramped, and sure to be wet in Kaneohe rains. That’s likely why it was zoned for preservation in the first place.