The hurricane retrofit grant program will end on June 30, 2008. We will not accept applications received after that date.

Hurricanes are an ever present threat for homes in Hawaii.  There are things that you can do to retrofit your home and make it more resistant to strong winds. 

The State's hurricane retrofit grant program has been discontinued. However, the documents developed for that program contain useful information on hurricane retrofitting. Particularly useful are the Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specifications, which provide detailed engineering criteria for the installation of wind resistive devices. These specifications cover:

• certain types of roof to wall connectors
• roof decking improvements
• opening protection
• wall to foundation connections
• and safe rooms

It may also be useful to review the Wind Resistive Devices Product Evaluations. These documents were generated in response to products that were submitted for approval after the creation of the Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specifications. They set forth the criteria upon which the State's consulting engineer approved these products for inclusion in the former grant program. It should be noted that there are hurricane clips that are suitable for retrofitting homes with single wall construction.

If you have questions, please contact the Hawaii Insurance Division at 586-0899. 

Caution:  Wind resistive devices are for property loss reduction. They do not prevent damage. Other than the residential safe room, they do not necessarily make your house a safe shelter to stay in during a hurricane.

Some property insurance companies give a premium discount for installation of wind resistive devices.  Although premium discounts may seem small on an annual dollar basis, over a lifetime they can add up.  The size of the premium discount reflects an actuarial determination about the reduction in risk associated with certain wind resistive devices.  Contact your property insurance company for more information.  Note that your insurance company may have different technical specifications for their premium credit program than this grant program. 

Use of information on this website shall be at your own risk. The State of Hawaii makes no representations, guaranty, or warranty, either express or implied, regarding the performance or effectiveness of the wind resistive devices, installed pursuant to the Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specifications or Wind Resistive Devices Product Evaluations, in actual wind conditions including tropical storms and hurricanes with respect to protecting property, loss prevention, life safety and protection purposes, or fitness for a particular purpose. Users of any information on this website acknowledge and agree that in no event shall the State of Hawaii be liable for any damages, injury or loss sustained by the user due to the utilization of any wind resistive device or any information contained in the Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specifications or Wind Resistive Devices Products Evaluations or this website.

Example of severe hurricane damage to a home:  loss of roof sheathing and roof framing structure, windows breached by windborne debris, and failure of wood foundation posts and beams

Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specification (6-13-2007)

Wind Resistive Devices Product Evaluations

You may also wish to read the "Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters". It is available on the Univerisity of Hawaii Sea Grant website under Communications-Publications.