Department of Planning and Permitting

The City and County of Honolulu has adopted the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC). These codes are the government's official statement on building safety. Properly designing or retrofitting your home to comply with the most recent UBC, helps to protect your home or business.

State Civil Defense

Responsibility of all disasters or major crises in the State of Hawaii begins at the county level. As the disaster or crisis develops, the State Civil Defense System provides the operational infrastructure and procedures to apply additional resources to meet the demands of the emergency from all appropriate levels of government.

Mitigation Activities:

1. Local adoption of Seismic Zone 2B Building Code Upgrade
2. Securing propane tanks at essential facilities against seismic hazards
3. Public Awareness Program - Videotape on Volcanic and Seismic Hazards

Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes

The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) is located on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and operates out of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. CSAV is a training and outreach program established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1989.

Mitigation Activities:

1. Conducts public symposiums at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to discuss impacts of natural hazards, mitigation measures, and policy/warning systems.
2. Plans symposia for teachers for credit.
3. Conducts presentations to 4th and 6th grade classes and community associations on earthquake preparedness.
4. Producing a 20 minute videotape about volcanic and seismic hazards affecting the island of Hawaii, and how homeowners can protect their homes and themselves. The videotape was distributed to community associations, public and private schools libraries, county offices, and video stores.