HI HB357

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Office of the Governor, in collaboration with the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, to strengthen existing hurricane shelters and develop new hurricane shelters capable of withstanding category five hurricanes.

Findings indicate that climate change has moved hurricane spawning areas northward toward Hawaii, with super category five hurricanes (200+ mph winds) expected to occur at least once annually by 2080 in the northern Pacific.

Current state hurricane shelters are inadequate, with many not meeting legitimate shelter criteria and capacity for only 100,000 people versus 200,000 expected to need shelter during a hurricane event.

Existing shelters can withstand only category two hurricanes at most, while most wooden homes in Hawaii would be damaged or destroyed in category one hurricanes.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.