SB698

Amends Hawaii building codes to require new homes and apartment buildings to withstand specific hurricane categories.

The bill amends Hawaii's building codes to mandate that new single-family homes and apartment buildings withstand certain hurricane categories. Specifically, buildings within areas expected to experience sustained wind speeds of up to 130 miles per hour must withstand at least a category three hurricane and include a residential safe room with an attached bathroom. Buildings in areas expected to experience sustained wind speeds of 140 miles per hour or more must withstand at least a category five hurricane and include a residential safe room with an attached bathroom.