Honolulu bribery scandal prompts permit department overhaul JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER, Associated Press April 23, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu is overhauling its building permit process after a federal investigation resulted in indictments alleging a bribery scheme. Last month’s indictments allege that five current and former employees of the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting took bribes in exchange for favors, including approving plans for residential projects and nullifying code violations at a multi-family residence in Waikiki. An architect was also charged and pleaded guilty to paying bribes to a building plans examiner, Kanani Padeken, who also pleaded guilty. The department then fired her.