Programs by state
Hawaii
Hawaiʻi’s official guidance emphasizes sheltering in place in a safer, code-compliant home when possible; public hurricane evacuation shelters are a last resort. Shelter openings and evacuation instructions are county-run, so residents should use the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency’s alerts page to reach their county system. As of October 4, 2026, I found state mitigation grant pages and home-strengthening guides, but no current Hawaiʻi homeowner safe-room or storm-shelter rebate page.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Status
- none found
Official resources in Hawaii
Official statewide hurricane preparedness page with shelter-in-place guidance and links to Hawaiʻi-specific strengthening resources.
Official page linking residents to each county’s emergency text/email alert system and county emergency management websites.
Explains what hurricane evacuation shelters are, their limits, and why they are considered last-resort options.
Official state insurance page linking to the Guide to Hurricane Strengthening for Hawaii Single-Family Residences and storm-claim resources.
Key facts for Hawaii
- HIEMA is Hawaiʻi’s state emergency management agency and coordinates with the four county emergency agencies. — HIEMA About the Agency
- HIEMA hazard-mitigation grants are for state/county agencies and qualifying nonprofits; no direct homeowner safe-room rebate page was found. — HIEMA Hazard Mitigation
- HIEMA says public hurricane evacuation shelters are a last resort and usually are not hardened beyond severe tropical-storm winds. — HIEMA Hurricane Shelters
- HIEMA’s alerts page says local emergency alerts are issued by each county, with free text or email signups. — HIEMA Get Alerts
- NWS Honolulu lists 42 Hawaii tornado reports from 1950 to October 31, 2018. — NWS Honolulu
- Maui County’s citizen guide says families register with the shelter manager on arrival and disclose special medical conditions. — Maui County guide
What to do next
- Sign up for your county alert system through HIEMA’s Get Alerts page, because county agencies announce shelter openings and evacuation orders.
- If your home is older or more vulnerable, review the UH Sea Grant handbook and DCCA strengthening guide before hurricane season to identify practical retrofit steps.
- If you may need extra help at a shelter, plan now with your household and service providers, and bring medical information to share with shelter staff on arrival.
Helpful guides
- FEMA safe room vs. storm shelter: what is the difference?
- How state storm shelter rebate programs work
- How much does a storm shelter cost?
- In-ground vs. above-ground storm shelters