Hurricane Preparedness in Hawaii County, HI (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Hurricane Shutters
New buildings in Hawaii County's windborne debris regions must protect glazed windows and doors under County Code Section 5A-3-25, Appendix W. Glazing must be impact-resistant or covered to ASTM E 1996/E 1886 standards, tested against small or large windborne missiles depending on height above grade, unless a code-listed plywood-panel exception applies.
Hurricane Opening Protection Rules on Hawaii Island
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 5A-3-25, Appendix W, § W101.4 (amending IBC § 1609.1.2)
1609.1.2 Protection of openings. In wind-borne debris regions, glazing in building shall be impact-resistant or protected with an impact-resistant covering meeting the requirements of an approved impact-resisting standard or ASTM E 1996 and of ASTM E 1886 referenced therein as follows: (1) Glazed openings located within 30 feet (9144 mm) of grade shall meet the requirements of the Large Missile...
Roof Standards
New construction on the Big Island must meet Hawaii County's Appendix W wind design rules, county-specific roof-to-wall uplift connector ratings, and stricter framing methods once basic wind speed tops 100 mph. The whole island falls in a federally designated hurricane-prone, wind-borne debris region.
Wind and Roof-Uplift Design Rules, Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 5A-3-25 (W102.1, W102.2, Table 2308.10.1)
2308.2.1 Basic wind speed greater than 100 mph. Where the Effective Basic Wind Speed exceeds 100 mph, the provisions of the AF&PA WFCM, or the SBCCI SSTD 10 are permitted to be used. ... a. The uplift connection requirements are based on a 30-foot mean roof height located in Exposure B. For Exposure C and for other mean roof heights, multiply the above loads by the adjustment coefficients below...
Flood Elevation
In Hawai'i County's coastal high hazard zones, V and VE on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Section 27-23(2) requires new construction to rest on anchored pilings or columns with the lowest floor member at or above the base flood elevation, engineered for wind and water loads with a one-percent annual chance of striking, the same design storm used for hurricane-driven surge.
Hurricane Flood Elevation Rules in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawaii County Code § 27-23(2)
New construction, improvements to repetitive loss structures, and substantial improvement shall be elevated on adequately anchored pilings or columns and securely anchored to such pilings or columns so that the lowest horizontal portion of the structural members of the lowest floor, excluding the pilings and columns, is elevated to or above the base flood level. The pile or column foundation an...
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