Hawaii could see a big hurricane season, but most homes aren’t ready

Hawaii is facing the potential for a significant hurricane season, but the majority of homes are ill-prepared to withstand such natural disasters. Jan Pappas and Ronald Yasuda took action by hiring a contractor to secure their home with metal plates and nails to protect it from high winds. This decision was influenced by the growing concern over global warming, which is fueling natural disasters worldwide.

The vulnerability of Hawaii’s homes is a cause for alarm, especially as the islands brace for a possible combination of weather events: the heightened likelihood of a tropical cyclone during an El Nino year, coupled with the impact of climate change-induced ocean warming leading to larger and more frequent tropical storms.

In contrast to Guam, where stronger building codes and concrete homes have improved resilience after powerful storms, many of Hawaii’s single-family homes remain at risk. The traditional single-wall construction, popular until the 1970s due to its affordability, lacks the necessary protections against powerful winds.

Hurricane Iniki in 1992 exposed the susceptibility of these older homes, causing extensive damage and highlighting the need for stronger building regulations. New homes built to current codes, with proper engineering supervision, can withstand Category 3 hurricanes, but the majority of existing homes are not equipped with such safeguards.

To address this issue, Hawaii is exploring nonprofit and volunteer programs to fortify homes, but individual homeowners must also assess their homes’ vulnerability to winds. The cost of retrofitting homes or building new ones with hurricane-resistant features, such as concrete and specialized windows and doors, presents a financial challenge for many residents. However, with the increasing threat of hurricanes due to warming oceans, these investments may become crucial.

Although Hawaii has been fortunate in avoiding severe hurricanes so far, the changing climate patterns indicate a higher probability of storms heading closer to the islands in the future. This realization has prompted concerns among residents like Ronald Yasuda, who wonders how long they can hope for continued safety without taking stronger precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about climate change-induced hurricanes

More about climate change-induced hurricanes

• Hawaii News Now: Hawaii could see a big hurricane season, but most homes aren’t ready
• National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office
• The Washington Post: Guam’s Experience with Typhoons and Concrete Homes
• Honolulu: Hawaii’s Building Codes and Hurricane Preparations
• University of Guam Sea Grant Program
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)