Hurricane Season in a High-Rise: A Hawaii Renter’s Safety Guide

If you live in a HAPI community, your safety is our top priority. However, hurricane preparedness in a multi-story building is very different than in a single-family home. You don’t need to board up windows with plywood, but you do need to worry about “wind-borne missiles,” elevator failures, and the reality of being stranded in your unit without power or running water for several days. Success during a storm comes down to two things: securing your lanai at least 48 hours before the winds arrive and having a self-sufficient 14-day emergency kit ready to go.

Here is the definitive 2026 guide to keeping your family and your neighbors safe during a Hawaii hurricane.

1. The Lanai Lockdown: Stop the “Flying Missiles”

The single biggest danger in a high-rise during a hurricane isn’t the building falling down—it’s furniture flying off of balconies. At 20 or 30 stories up, wind speeds are significantly higher than they are at street level.

A light plastic chair or a potted hibiscus can become a deadly projectile that shatters your neighbor’s windows or harms someone on the street below.

• The 48-Hour Rule: As soon as a Hurricane Watch is issued for your island, you must clear your lanai completely.
• What to Move: Bring all chairs, tables, plants, floor mats, and decorative items inside your apartment.
• The Penalty: Failure to secure your lanai is a major lease violation and makes you legally liable for any damage or injury caused by your flying property.

4. Does Your Renter’s Insurance Cover Hurricanes?

A common question we hear is: “Does my renter’s insurance pay for a hotel if my apartment is damaged?”

While your insurance policy won’t pay your rent if you just lose power, most policies include a feature called “Loss of Use” coverage. If a hurricane causes physical damage to the building (like a shattered window or a roof leak) that makes your apartment officially “uninhabitable,” your insurance company may reimburse you for the cost of a hotel and meals while the site management completes repairs.

• The Action: Call your insurance agent today and ask about your “Loss of Use” limits and your hurricane deductible.

5. High-Rise Pet Safety

If you have a pet in a HAPI community, they need a “Safe Room” plan just as much as you do.

• The Pet Hurricane Kit: Ensure you have 14 days of pet food, a manual can opener for wet food, a week’s supply of pet-safe water, and any necessary medications.
• Identification: Ensure your pet is wearing a collar with an ID tag that includes your current cell phone number. If you are evacuated, your pet should be microchipped.
• The Indoor “Potty” Plan: Since you cannot take your dog outside during 60mph winds, have a supply of “pee pads” or a small patch of artificial turf ready in the bathroom.