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SCR 62

REQUESTING THE 911 BOARD TO ESTABLISH OR UTILIZE AN APPROPRIATE WORKING GROUP TO ENGAGE WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS CONTINUING ACCESS ISSUES IN THE STATE’S EMERGENCY AND 911 RESPONSE SYSTEMS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 5 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests new state buildings after 2027 serving dual purposes be engineered for Category 5 hurricanes and designated as emergency shelters.

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
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Bill Summary · SCR 62

Legislative bill overview

SCR 62 requests that Hawaii state buildings constructed after July 1, 2027, which are designed to serve dual purposes (regular public use and emergency shelter), be built to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. The bill further requests these facilities be designated and utilized as emergency shelters during natural disasters.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces significant hurricane risk, and dual-purpose emergency shelters can improve disaster response capacity and community resilience without requiring separate infrastructure investment. Strengthening public buildings to Category 5 standards could save lives and reduce post-disaster recovery costs, though it represents a substantial upfront investment in construction.

Potential points of contention

  • Construction cost impact: Building to Category 5 hurricane standards significantly increases construction expenses, which could affect project budgets and timelines for state building programs
  • Scope and feasibility: Defining which "secondary purpose" facilities qualify and whether all state buildings can practically meet these structural standards without major redesign
  • Maintenance and operational burden: Designating buildings as emergency shelters requires ongoing preparation, staffing protocols, supplies, and coordination between agencies during emergencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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