The Law of Rebuilding LA Episode 27: How 'blanket permitting' helped Hawaii rebuild

On Episode 3 of Hawaii Gov. Josh Green's guest appearance on The Law of Rebuilding LA podcast, he and host Howard Miller discuss the critical role of overcoming permitting roadblocks in addressing housing shortages after the Lahaina fire.

In today's episode, Gov. Green discusses:

• Building 1,044 transitional housing units in partnership with FEMA and the county
• Implementing "blanket permitting" to accelerate construction for homeowners when permitting delays are often a major roadblock to development
• Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be built before main homes are reconstructed
• The state covering housing costs for displaced residents for up to three years
• Raising $500 million from philanthropic sources to supplement federal funding
• Securing $807 million in state appropriations to support rebuilding efforts

You can also listen to today's podcast on SoundCloud or on Apple Podcasts.

New episodes will be released daily this week, with each segment exploring different aspects of disaster recovery and rebuilding. Tomorrow's episode will delve into the litigation aspects of the recovery process.

Missed a previous episode? Catch up now.

Episode 1 -- Rebuilding LA portal SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts.

Episode 2 -- Rebuilding LA portal, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts

About Gov. Josh Green

Governor Josh Green is a dedicated physician, husband, father, and Hawai'i's ninth Governor. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he earned degrees in biology and anthropology from Swarthmore College and an M.D. from Penn State's College of Medicine. After completing his family practice residency, he chose to serve the underserved community of Ka'ū on Hawai'i Island, as a member of the National Health service Corps.

His experiences as a rural physician have inspired him to address issues like affordable housing, mental health, and addiction through public service.

Dr. Green served two terms in the Hawai'i House of Representatives, three terms in the Hawai'i State Senate and a term as Lieutenant Governor, during which he was the point person addressing the COVID Pandemic. In December 2022 Dr. Green was elected Governor.

Since becoming Governor, Dr. Green has prioritized affordability, housing, healthcare, and climate action. He enacted the largest income tax cut in Hawai'i's history, accelerated the development of over 62,000 affordable housing units, expanded homelessness initiatives like kauhale villages, and launched programs to address the state's healthcare workforce shortage. His leadership during the Maui wildfire recovery housed nearly 8,000 survivors and secured billions of dollars for recovery efforts. Governor Green remains deeply committed to improving the lives of Hawai'i's families and building a more sustainable future.