Hawaii

Advocacy Opportunities

Status

Explanations

Adopt Mandatory Codes

Residential

Hawaii has a voluntary statewide residential code, the Hawaii Model Energy Code (HMEC), which exceeds the 1995 MEC. Three counties of Hawaii have a mandatory residential code: Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui.

Commercial

Hawaii has a voluntary statewide commercial code, ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989. The 2006 IECC with amendments is mandatory in Hawaii County.

Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process

The State of Hawaii does not have an established schedule for code review and updates.

Create a Regulatory Process

Hawaii has a legislative code adoption process.  No schedule exists for making statewide changes to the Hawaii Model Energy Code, but each county reviews its code periodically.

If changes are deemed necessary on a statewide basis, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submits proposed legislation to the state legislature.

Improve Compliance
 

Residential

For all residential structures over three stories in height, field inspections by the County Public Works Department (in Honolulu, the Design & Construction Department), are conducted during the established inspection process mandated by the building code. Unfortunately, no special procedures are required to enforce the energy requirements. Most local jurisdictions require that a registered architect or engineer review and stamp the plans and provide a written statement indicating compliance with the code requirements.

Enforcement for state buildings is handled by County Building Departments. State buildings are sited in jurisdictions that have mandated the HMEC or equivalent.

Commercial

For all commercial buildings over three stories in height, field inspections by the County Public Works Department (in Honolulu, the Design & Construction Department), are conducted during the established inspection process mandated by the building code. Unfortunately, no special procedures are required to enforce the energy requirements.  Most local jurisdictions require that a registered architect or engineer review and stamp the plans and provide a written statement indicating compliance with the code requirements.

Enforcement for state buildings is handled by the County Building Departments. State buildings are sited in jurisdictions that have mandated the HMEC or equivalent.

Eliminate Weakening Amendments

Add Strengthening Amendments

Allow Innovation at the Local Level

Although Honolulu drafted a bill (87-07) to make U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) mandatory within city limits by 2010, an advisory group was created instead to help the city increase the use of sustainable planning, design, and construction practices.

Set Milestones

Since 2006, the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) has been developing the "Tropical Energy Code" to address conditions unique to the tropical climate. The code will be drawn substantially from the Guam Energy Code.

Adopt Green Codes

City Wide Standard:
Honolulu, Hawaii
Municipal Building Standards, 2006

Program Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations 5,000 ft2 or larger must meet LEED Silver. 

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.