Skip to content
kokua@ownerbuiltdesign.com (808) 383-4632
Hawaii Residential Drafting Service ~ Designing Hawaii projects since 1988.
  • Our 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
  • 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
    • 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
  • 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: ADU Design

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.

Building an ADU in Hawaii
May 31, 2018September 18, 2020Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2018September 1, 2020Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2018July 10, 2021Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2018March 18, 2018Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2018January 16, 2022Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2018September 1, 2020Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

Retirement Downsizing in Place with an Accessible ADU

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, 2017January 16, 2022Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

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, 2017September 1, 2020Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

How to Optimize Space In Your New ADU

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

Attractive young asian adult couple looking at blue prints for an ADU in Hawaii.
December 7, 2017October 7, 2020Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU Design

Just How Big is a 400 sq ft ADU?

Building an ADU on your property is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your neighborhood. It can provide […]

A couple looking at a blueprint for their ADU hawaii
November 23, 2017January 16, 2022ADU Design

5 Decisions to Make Before Starting Your ADU Construction

If you want a source of passive income and to do a community service at the same time, a rare opportunity to […]

Posts navigation

1 2 >

Click Here to Schedule Your
FREE CONSULTATION CALL

RECENT POSTS

  • 7 Reasons to Hire a Project Manager for Your Home Construction Project

    7 Reasons to Hire a Project Manager for Your Home Construction Project

    February 4, 2023
  • Hawaii Pool Construction Guide

    Hawaii Pool Construction Guide

    February 3, 2023
  • Single-Wall Construction in Hawaii: What it Is, What it Looks Like, and Why it’s Still Around

    Single-Wall Construction in Hawaii: What it Is, What it Looks Like, and Why it’s Still Around

    February 3, 2023
  • Permit-Ready Drawings for a DIY Carport in Hawaii

    Permit-Ready Drawings for a DIY Carport in Hawaii

    February 2, 2023

RANDOM POSTS

  • Convergent Photography and Orthophotography in Architectural Design

    Convergent Photography and Orthophotography in Architectural Design

    January 22, 2023
  • Construction Meeting Best Practices

    Construction Meeting Best Practices

    January 29, 2023
  • Residents Demand Action Regarding Long Building Permit Delays in Hawaii

    Residents Demand Action Regarding Long Building Permit Delays in Hawaii

    October 23, 2018
  • Residential Design: Transforming Hawaii Homes

    Residential Design: Transforming Hawaii Homes

    August 27, 2022

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

Learn Online Permit Processing for Profit. Click now for more information..

This course will show you how to apply for a residential building permit using the City and County of Honolulu’s ePlans system.

We’d like to hear from you!


Free 15-Minute Consultation

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION CALL 

Thanks for Visiting!

Daily Quotes by CalendarLabs

Tag Categories

A

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

B

  • Building Code Articles
  • Building Permit Articles

C

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

D

  • DIY Articles

E

  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP)

G

  • Garages

H

  • Hawaii Drafting Service
  • Home Construction

L

  • Lanai
  • Landscaping

P

  • Pinterest Articles
  • Project Management
  • Project Planning and Design

R

  • Ramps

S

  • Single-wall Construction
  • Swimming Pool Articles

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