To prepare for a future with stronger hurricanes, Hawaii can learn from others — and itself

by Melanie Yamaguchi 

Hawaii should look to other states, other countries and its own past to gain insight on how to harden its buildings and homes and bolster the resiliency of its infrastructure in the face of a warming future that promises more frequent and stronger hurricanes, experts say.

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Despite the gaps, scientists and experts also say there are things the state, counties ― and residents ― could be doing now to harden structures and ensure vital elements of Hawaii infrastructure are more resilient.

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In recent years, several hurricanes and tropical storms skirted the islands, dumping heavy rain and bringing powerful winds. But those events were nothing compared to a major storm making landfall.

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According to HI-EMA, most evacuation shelters have not been designed or hardened for winds greater than a severe tropical storm but are a safer option than homes in flood-prone areas.