Skip to content
kokua (@) ownerbuiltdesign.com (808) 383-4632
Hawaii Residential Drafting Service ~ Designing Hawaii projects since 1988.
  • Our Services
    • Comprehensive Hawaii Architect and Structural Calculation Services
    • Hawaii Residential Design Guide
    • Design & Drafting Services
      • Our Process
    • ADU Design
      • ADU Downloads & FAQ’s
    • Oahu Building Permitting
      • Building Permit Articles
      • Honolulu Building Permit Links
    • ESCP Coordination Service
    • Testimonials
  • Free Call
  • Projects
    • Design Build: Pros, Cons, Key Factors
    • The Complete Guide to Building and Remodeling in Hawaii
  • About Us
  • Blog
    • Post Index
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit
    • Building Permit Articles
    • DIY Articles
    • Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)
    • Hawaii Drafting Service
    • Pinterest Articles
    • Swimming Pool Articles
Search
Hawaii Residential Drafting Service ~ Designing Hawaii projects since 1988.
Close menu
  • Our Services
    • Comprehensive Hawaii Architect and Structural Calculation Services
    • Hawaii Residential Design Guide
    • Design & Drafting Services
      • Our Process
    • ADU Design
      • ADU Downloads & FAQ’s
    • Oahu Building Permitting
      • Building Permit Articles
      • Honolulu Building Permit Links
    • ESCP Coordination Service
    • Testimonials
  • Free Call
  • Projects
    • Design Build: Pros, Cons, Key Factors
    • The Complete Guide to Building and Remodeling in Hawaii
  • About Us
  • Blog
    • Post Index
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit
    • Building Permit Articles
    • DIY Articles
    • Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)
    • Hawaii Drafting Service
    • Pinterest Articles
    • Swimming Pool Articles
Hawaii Residential Drafting Service ~ Designing Hawaii projects since 1988.
Search Toggle menu

Category: Accessory Dwelling Unit

Maximizing Your Hawaii Lot with an ADU

What is an ADU in Hawaii? An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a permitted way of making dreams for home expansion possible in Hawaii. An ADU is another place to live or “dwelling unit” on a single-family lot. It includes a full kitchen with an oven, a bathroom, a sleeping area, and at least one parking stall. ADUs were introduced in Honolulu in 2015 as one possible solution to the Hawaii housing shortage. In other places, ADUs are called in-law apartments or granny flats.

Types of ADUs in Hawaii There are three main categories of ADUs in Hawaii: Interior ADU, Attached ADU, and Detached ADU.

  • Interior ADUs are inside the main home and often are built from converted spaces, like enclosing a lanai or a garage or reworking one floor of a home.
  • Attached ADUs are connected to the main home but are completely new buildings.
  • Detached ADUs is a separate standalone structure. Many people will build a brand-new home on the same lot as an ADU in Hawaii, or sometimes homeowners can convert large sheds to be ADUs.

What is an Ohana unit? Not to be confused with an ADU, an Ohana Unit is also a permitted second home on a single-family lot. Like the name says, they are typically for family members desiring a space for their parents, children, aunties, uncles, or other multi-generational family members.

The main difference between an ADU and an Ohana unit is that Ohana units can only have a “wet bar,” or an eating area with a sink, refrigerator, and stovetop – not a full oven. They also can only be rented to a family member, which is agreed upon through the signing of a restricted covenant agreement. Ohana units were first introduced to Oahu around in the late 1980s, and many single-family Hawaii homes are set up for multi-generational living – some legally permitted while some are not.

Benefits of Building an ADU in Hawaii There are many benefits to building an ADU in Hawaii, including the following:

  • Rental Income: Earn extra income by renting out your ADU. This income could subsidize your monthly mortgage payment. Note that ADUs must be rented out for six months or more and cannot legally be used as vacation rentals or an Airbnb – unless you gain a separate conditional use permit.
  • Neighborhood diversity: If you rent, you might enable some people to live in your neighborhood that otherwise would not. Having a variety of income levels and people from diverse backgrounds can create a richer neighborhood ‘ohana.
  • Appreciation: Building an ADU adds value to your property. Speak with your real estate agent about the possible appreciation that your property could accumulate if you build an ADU.
  • Infrastructure: ADUs utilize existing infrastructure, like water, electricity, and waste management systems, thus avoiding the costs of creating and expanding utilities into undeveloped areas.
  • Keeping country county: Building additions in single-family home neighborhoods assists in preventing more undeveloped areas from being used.

Building an ADU in Hawaii is a great way to maximize your lot and make your dreams of home expansion come true. Whether you’re looking to build a new home, convert a large shed, or simply add an extra living space to your existing home, an ADU is a cost-effective and permitted way to do so. With the right lot and building design, you can build an ADU in Hawaii and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. So, if you’re thinking about building an ADU in Hawaii, be sure to do your research and consult with professionals to ensure that your project meets all the necessary requirements and to make your dream of a bigger home a reality.

January 15, 2022February 23, 2023Hawaii Drafting Service, Accessory Dwelling Unit

Oahu Permit Updates

Honolulu building permits are taking longer than ever to process now so I’m preparing this post for anecdotal reports of the current […]

Neighbor Considerations When Building
June 11, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

5 Good Neighbor Considerations When Building Your ADU

Families across the Hawaiian islands are making the choice to transform some of their back gardens into tiny new homes for rent […]

Building an ADU in Hawaii
May 31, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

Building an ADU in Hawaii? What to Do Yourself and What to Leave to the Pros

Building an ADU on your Oahu Hawaii home property is one of the best things any homeowner can do for their community. […]

Renting out an adu
April 12, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

Renting Out an ADU: Preparing Your ADU for Renters

With the growing housing crunch in Hawaii, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of homeowners are building additional residences onto their […]

Renting Out an ADU
April 6, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

Renting Out an ADU: How to Find and Screen Renters

For many Hawaiian homeowners, the opportunity of building and renting out an ADU is quite exciting.Rather than having to buy property, you can build […]

ADU Landlord Tips
March 19, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Landlord Tips: Preparing Your Lease (Part 2)

Welcome back to the second half of our two-part series offering ADU landlord tips in preparing a custom lease for your new […]

LEASE AGREEMENT
February 8, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Landlord Tips: Preparing Your Lease (Part 1)

With your ADU construction, preparation, decoration, and landscaping complete, you’re almost ready to bring in renters. The new income to start paying […]

senior asian couple looking at plans for an ADU on a tablet computer at home
January 4, 2018February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

Retirement Downsizing in Place with an Accessible ADU

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Accessory Dwelling Unit

Many seniors are seriously conflicted about the choice to downsize into a smaller, more manageable and affordable house or stay with the […]

New wall and ground for a modern extension of a house. ADU
December 21, 2017February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

5 Tips for Building an Energy Efficient ADU

 If you’re thinking about or already planning to build an ADU on your property, it’s important to remember that the cost of […]

Relaxing Modern Living Room and Kitchen room Interior in an ADU.
December 14, 2017February 23, 2023Accessory Dwelling Unit

How to Optimize Space In Your New ADU

This entry is part 1 of 11 in the series Accessory Dwelling Unit

Anyone who’s been looking into ADU designs recently has probably had to face a very stark truth: ADU’s are small. Unlike normal […]

Posts navigation

1 2 >

Click Here to Schedule Your
FREE CONSULTATION CALL

RECENT POSTS

  • Sustainable Living: Designing and Navigating a Homesteader’s Journey

    Sustainable Living: Designing and Navigating a Homesteader’s Journey

    May 18, 2023
  • Hawaii Bill Amendment to Increase Cost Thresholds

    Hawaii Bill Amendment to Increase Cost Thresholds

    April 13, 2023
  • Site Evaluation and Selection in Hawaii: Introduction

    Site Evaluation and Selection in Hawaii: Introduction

    March 27, 2023
  • How to Navigate Building Permit Process in Hawaii

    How to Navigate Building Permit Process in Hawaii

    March 22, 2023
  • Choosing the Best Hawaii Architecture Home Designs for Your Lifestyle

    Choosing the Best Hawaii Architecture Home Designs for Your Lifestyle

    March 4, 2023

May 2023
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Apr    

RANDOM POSTS

  • Top Ten Pinterest Home Improvement Boards for DIY-ers

    Top Ten Pinterest Home Improvement Boards for DIY-ers

    September 14, 2017
  • Architect Design and Construction Document Services

    Architect Design and Construction Document Services

    January 30, 2023
  • Ongoing Building Permit Delay in Hawaii and How You Can Help

    Ongoing Building Permit Delay in Hawaii and How You Can Help

    November 21, 2018
  • Building Commissioning: Understanding the Quality Assurance Process

    Building Commissioning: Understanding the Quality Assurance Process

    January 29, 2023
  • Understanding the Permit Process

    Understanding the Permit Process

    June 28, 2021

Free 15-Minute Consultation

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION CALL 

Tag Categories

A

  • Accessory Dwelling Unit
  • ADA Compliance
  • AIA Contract Forms
  • Architect Registration Exam
  • Architecture

B

  • Building Code Articles
  • Building for Resilience
  • Building Permit Articles

C

  • Carport
  • Change Orders
  • Construction and Evaluation
  • Construction Contracts
  • Construction Industry
  • Contract Bids

D

  • Designing for Hawaiian Climate
  • DIY Articles

E

  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)

G

  • Garages

H

  • Hawaiian Architecture
  • Hawaii Drafting Service
  • Home Construction
  • Home Improvement Projects in Hawaii

I

  • Infill Residential Development

L

  • Lanai
  • Landscaping

P

  • Pinterest Articles
  • Project Management
  • Project Planning and Design

R

  • Ramps

S

  • Single-wall Construction
  • Site Evaluation and Selection in Hawaii
  • Sustainable Design
  • Swimming Pool Articles

© 2023 Hawaii Residential Drafting Service ~ Designing Hawaii projects since 1988..
Back to top