RELATING TO STATE BUILDINGS.

SB2882

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2882

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to state buildings
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that with warmer ocean temperatures caused by climate change,
the development zone for hurricanes in the eastern and central Pacific has
moved northward, significantly increasing the potential for stronger storms and
hurricanes crossing the Pacific Ocean to either hit or directly affect
Hawaii.
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Previously, Hawaii had been
protected by cooler waters around the State and by wind shear, which mitigated
the threat of hurricanes.
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However, ocean
temperatures around the State have grown warmer, reducing the number of days
during which the State experiences trade winds from two hundred ninety-one in
1973 to two hundred ten in 2009.
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This
reduction in trade winds has dramatically decreased the protection provided by
wind shear, thereby raising the risk of future hurricanes.

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The legislature also finds warmer seas have
increased the intensity of hurricanes globally.
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Crucially, Category 5 hurricanes have become increasingly common, with
some achieving wind speeds of over two hundred miles per hour.
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Category 5 hurricanes have caused extensive
damage to buildings and residential structures.
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Notably, when hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica in 2025, over one hundred
thousand structures were severely damaged by the storm.

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The legislature additionally notes that the
number of adequate shelters in the State is limited.
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In 2022, the city and county of Honolulu had
sufficient shelter capacity for only one hundred thousand people, due to the
county's lack of shelters that meet the appropriate criteria in the event of a
hurricane.
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This lack of shelter space,
combined with the high risk of damage to residential structures, leaves the
State vulnerable to hurricanes and other severe storms.
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If a hurricane of Category 3 or higher were
to directly affect the State, many residents could be left without shelter.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to improve the State's preparedness for stronger
hurricanes by requiring certain state buildings, including public school,
college, and university buildings, constructed on or after July 1, 2027, to be
designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and be used as shelters in the
event of an emergency.

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SECTION

2
.
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Section 107-27,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

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"
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107-27
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Design of state buildings.
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(a)
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No later than one year after the adoption of
codes or standards pursuant to section 107-24(c), the design of all state
building construction shall be in compliance with the Hawaii state building
codes[
, except
]
; provided that
state building construction [
shall
]

may
be [
allowed to be
] exempted from:

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(1)
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County codes that have not adopted the
Hawaii state building codes;

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(2)
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Any county code amendments that are
inconsistent with the minimum performance objectives of the Hawaii state building
codes or the objectives enumerated in this part; or

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(3)
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Any county code amendments that are
contrary to code amendments adopted by another county.

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(b)
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Exemptions shall include county ordinances
allowing the exercise of indigenous Hawaiian architecture adopted in accordance
with section 46-1.55.

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[
(c)
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The State shall consider hurricane resistant
criteria when designing and constructing new public schools for the capability
of providing shelter refuge.

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(d)
]

(c)
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Beginning July 1, 2023, where
feasible and cost‑effective, the design of all new state building
construction shall:

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(1)
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Maximize energy and water efficiency
measures;

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(2)
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Maximize energy generation potential;
and

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(3)
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Use building materials that reduce the
carbon footprint of the project.

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(d)
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All state buildings shall be designed to
withstand Category 5 hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an
emergency, provided that they:

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(1)
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Are fully enclosed;

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(2)
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Have the capacity to shelter a large
population;

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(3)
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Are intended to serve as shelters
during and after a Category 5 hurricane; and

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(4)
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Will be constructed on or after July
1, 2027.

For the
purposes of this subsection, "state buildings" does not include
correctional facilities, covered playgrounds, or sheds.
"

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SECTION
3.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hurricane
Preparedness; Category 5; State Buildings; Shelters

Description:

Requires certain
state buildings intended for use as emergency shelters and constructed on or
after July 1, 2027, be designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.