Honolulu is considering a new pilot loan-forgiveness program that would double as a hiring tool, dangling student debt relief to attract engineers into the Department of Planning and Permitting as the city scrambles to chip away at its long-running building-permit backlog. Council Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Esther Kiaʻāina is proposing to set aside roughly $240,000 in the FY27 budget for the pilot, tying the financial incentive to a short work commitment at DPP. City leaders say a shortage of engineers and plan reviewers has slowed projects across Oʻahu, including affordable housing planned under the Bill 7 program.
Loan relief and a six‑month requirement
According to Hawaii News Now, Kiaʻāina intends to insert $240,000 into the upcoming…..