HI SCR62

State buildings designed on or after July 1, 2027, that will serve as emergency shelters are requested to be constructed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes with wind speeds potentially exceeding 200 miles per hour.

Applies only to fully enclosed state buildings intended as large capacity shelters, excluding correctional facilities, covered playgrounds, and sheds.

Department of Accounting and General Services would serve as lead agency for enforcement in consultation with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and adopt administrative rules to implement requirements.

Addresses Hawaii's limited shelter capacity, citing a 2022 Honolulu report indicating sufficient shelter space for only 100,000 people due to inadequate hurricane-resistant facilities.

Responds to increased hurricane threat as warmer ocean temperatures have reduced trade wind days from 291 in 1973 to 210 in 2009, diminishing natural storm protection.