Got there early, there were about 20 people in line. HPD allows only 5 in the room at one time, they process applications only one person at a time at the window. Permit pickups are processed quicker at the side window. They tell me most of the applications are for newbs. Figure 10 minutes per person, those guys outside are looking at a 3-4 hour wait.
I was out in 10, by then there were 5 inside and about 25 outside.
Bring a chair, gloves or sanitizer, make sure your phone is charged and your meter's full. Bring lots of aloha, it helps. It's nutz out there, who knows if it'll get better or worse.
Another thread says that starting Monday HPD's going to reservations only (can you say DMV?).