As a hom 
eowner, you likely already know that Hawaii’s hurricane season officially ends at the end of this month.
“Even though hurricane season will soon be over, it’s a good idea to plan now, so you’re ready for the next season,” says Ryan Graham, VP of operations at Graham Builders.
Over the past three decades, Graham’s Honolulu design/build firm has helped build and retrofit hundreds of Oahu homes to withstand severe storm damage.
“Most island homes built before 1970 were made with single-wall construction,” he says. “Those homes are ill-equipped to handle the impact of a major hurricane.”
By the numbers
Long-time island residents will remember the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992. Rated a Category 4 storm, with 130- to 160-mph winds and gusts up to 225 mph, Iniki severely damaged or destroyed more than 4,000 homes on Kauai.
Two-thirds of Oahu’s single-family homes have no hurricane protections at all. “Building for resilience can help protect homeowners from the damage caused by minor storms, and the devastation of major storms,” says Graham.
Building codes in Hawaii, based after the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), require new residences to withstand Category 3 hurricane wind damage, with winds up to 129 mph. But many older post-and-pier homes are not secured to concrete footings with enough mass to resist powerful uplift forces.
“Modern codes require double walls,” explains Graham. “The codes also require new houses to be securely connected from roof to frame to foundation — actually into the ground, or ‘below grade.’”
Homes built according to contemporary construction codes are cooler, quieter, and structurally more secure than most older homes. Tearing down single-wall post-and-pier homes, and building new structures in their place, is often the smartest and even the most cost-effective solution.
“Piecemeal renovations almost always cost more money and effort in the long run,” Graham says. “And the longer you wait to rebuild, the more expensive it will be.”
Building and retrofitting for resilience
In October, after a five-year study of Oahu’s flood hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency released new maps that chart flood zones.
“People who are in the process of building or renovating homes may want to check to see if any part of their property is now in a newly-identified flood zone,” says Evan Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders. “It could have considerable impact on their construction or renovation.”
Incorporating modern building systems and design techniques that help a structure withstand natural disasters is common practice for structural engineers. “Smart renovations, retrofitting’s, and maintenance can help protect or even save your home,” Fujimoto says.
Hurricane clips are an obvious place to begin. Converting from single-wall to double-wall construction is also a good idea if you have the resources, as is updating jalousie windows.
“Take care of any repairs you’ve been putting off,” advises Fujimoto. “If you have a leak in the roof, it may become a bigger problem during the season; have it inspected and fixed. Window repairs? Do them now. Flying debris is a major problem during even minor storms, so clean up your home’s exterior, too.”
The next hurricane season begins on June 1, 2025. “If you’re able to make any changes, it’s a good idea to do them as soon as possible, before the season begins,” Graham concludes.
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Plan your dream home with Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday, December 7th from 9-11 a.m. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.