Honolulu is using remote-controlled demolition robots to tear down the old McCoy building in Waikiki, clearing the way for new affordable housing.

• A contractor is operating small, compact robots that climb through elevator shafts and work from the rooftop down, letting crews demolish the building without standing in the danger zone.
• Debris gets loaded straight into the elevator shafts and hauled out, speeding up cleanup in the tight urban site.
• The city bought the property in 2018 and plans to replace the old eight-story building, which once held 33 units, with a taller tower of about 125 affordable units.
• Officials describe the new building as a major upgrade in both housing supply and design for the area.

Outlook: Demolition will continue in phases before construction begins on the new affordable housing tower.