Hawaii County, HI Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane Shutters (2026)

4 of the appendix (added by Ordinance 20-61, section 3, 2020, current through Supplement 9). The rule applies only to buildings sited in windborne debris regions on the island. Glazing must be impact-resistant, or protected by a covering meeting ASTM E 1996 and the companion cyclic-pressure/impact test ASTM E 1886. The test threshold changes with elevation: openings within 30 feet of grade must pass the Large Missile Test of ASTM E 1996, while openings more than 30 feet above grade need only pass the Small Missile Test.

The code carves out a practical plywood exception: 7/16-inch wood structural panels, precut to span no more than 8 feet, attached with the manufacturer's hardware sized to resist ASCE 7 components-and-cladding loads, satisfy opening protection on one- and two-story buildings with a mean roof height of 33 feet or less, provided the site's basic wind speed does not exceed 130 mph. Separate exceptions exempt unoccupied Occupancy Category I structures such as greenhouses, and glazing more than 60 feet above ground and 30 feet above nearby roofs on taller buildings.

Certain Occupancy Category III uses, including assembly buildings with an occupant load over 300 and health-care facilities housing 50 or more resident patients, must carry windborne debris protection regardless of height.