Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: Executive Summary

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Executive Summafv is located within a hurricane hazard region. Improvements in wind hazard mitigation can now be implemented through the use of these specialized "uniform-risk" wind speed maps for design use as a local code adoption to the State amendments to the International Building Code (IBC). A consistent level of protection for hurricane hazard would then be achieved in structural design on the island of Hawaii, thereby mitigating future hurricane losses in new construction. Implementation of the topographic and directionality in the County of Hawaii Building Code would fulfill recommendations made by structural engineers after Hurricanes Iwa(1982)and Iniki(1992). In addition, the enactment of the TBC 2006 with these wind provisions would be critical to maximizing federal disaster public assistance aid in future disasters. Section 406(e) of the Stafford Act requires that FEMA provides post-disaster public assistance aid funding only to the level of the code in place at the time of the disaster. When a county building code or any state building regulation is obsolete, any cost differential for repairing state buildings to modern standards currently becomes the responsibility of the State and County. Enacting a modern code would enhance the amount of federal aid available after a disaster to allow the State to rebuild in conformance to the latest disaster-resistant codes. Otherwise, post-disaster rebuilding and repairs may recreate vulnerabilities and weaknesses of antiquated codes that just happened to be in place at the time of the disaster. Thus, key benefits of this project are improved disaster-resistant construction immediately to reduce losses, and increased federal aid for post-disaster recovery of the State after the next disaster. • State Building Code Statute Act 82 (May 21,2007) The State legislature found that the State has traditionally allowed the individual counties to establish their own building codes. In the past the counties adopted various portions of the Uniform Building Code, so the code differs from county to county. The status of fragmented building requirements in Hawaii is of serious concern to those involved in building ownership, design, construction, and insurance. Over forty states have adopted some form of a statewide building code. The adoption of a uniform set of statewide building codes applicable to one and two family dwellings, all other residential uses, and commercial and industrial buildings, and state buildings makes it possible for building owners, designers, contractors, and code enforcers within the State to apply consistent standards. The International Building Code is currently being considered for adoption by all counties. The health and safety considerations related to the codes are of statewide interest, especially relating to emergency disaster preparedness. Act 82 was implemented in Hawaii Revised Stature 107-Part II HRS 107 Part IT created the authority of the State Building Code Council, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to establish a comprehensive State Building Code. Under HRS §107-25, the State Building Code is required to include various codes and design standards that are listed specifically or generically in the statute. The State Building Code Council includes the State agencies and County jurisdictions with pre-existing regulations affected by a State Building Code. xviii Hawaii Countv Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan