ROH §16-12.9
Rules for building traditional Hawaiian hale structures
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗This section sets design and construction standards for different types of hale, including size limits for posts and beams, foundation requirements, and open sides. It also lists approved designs for specific hale types like Hale Halawai, Hale Kuai, Hale Noa, and Hale Waa. Builders must follow these standards.
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The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Design standards
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) General design standards. All types of hale shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards set out in this section.
(1) The minimum diameter size of all structural members shall be measured at the member’s midpoint, except that the minimum diameter size of posts shall be measured at the smaller end. For structure sizes not specifically shown in the tables, the requirements in the next larger width size shall be applicable.
(2) The specifications for structural members were estimated based on no wind loads. Hale shall be constructed to allow all thatching materials to separate from the structure before adding significant loads.
(3) The mix formula for mortar specified in these rules shall be one part portland cement, four parts clean sand, and sufficient fresh water to make the mixture workable.
(4) Every hale, except hale noa, shall have at least two sides completely open.
(5) Lashing and thatching methods shall comply with illustrations found in “Arts and Crafts of Hawaii” or “The Hawaiian Grass House in Bishop Museum.”
(b) Allowable designs. Hale shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the schematic designs and illustrations that follow:
(1) Hale Halawai. Each end of the Hale Halawai may be open or thatched. The ends may also be constructed with a thatched roof hip as an alternate design.
HALE HALAWAI
Open End Style
HALE HALAWAI
Thatched End Style
FRAMING SCHEMATIC
HALE HALAWAI
W x L x H
Pou Kihi minimum diameter
Pou Kukuna & Pou Kaha minimum diameter
Pou Hana minimum diameter
Pouomanu minimum diameter
O`a minimum diameter
Kuaiole & Holo minimum diameter
Kauhuhu minimum diameter
Lohelau minimum diameter
Post Spacing maximum spacing
Rafter Spacing maximum spacing
12 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
3 in.
5 ft.
3 ft.
14 ft. x 24 ft. x 7 ft.
4 in.
4 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
3 in.
5 ft.
3 ft.
24 ft. x 30 ft. x 7 ft.
5 in.
4 in.
4 in.
4 in.
4 in.
2 in.
3 in.
3 in.
5 ft.
3 ft.
25 ft. x 50 ft. x 7 ft.
5 in.
5 in.
5 in.
5 in.
4 in.
2 in.
3 in.
32 in.
5 ft.
3 ft.
30 ft. x 60 ft. x 7 ft.
6 in.
5 in.
6 in.
6 in.
4 in.
2 in.
3 in.
4 in.
5 ft.
3 ft.
SIZE OF HALE HALAWAI W x L x H
FOUNDATION TYPE
Kahua
Diameter x Height
Pa Pohaku
Width x Height x Length
Pou Kanu
Diameter x Depth
12 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft.
3 ft.6 in. x 24 in. H
2 ft.6 in. W x 2 ft. 8 in. H x 4 ft. 0 in. L
30 in. x 2 ft.8 in. D
14 ft. x 24 ft. x 7 ft.
3 ft.8 in. x 24 in. H
2 ft. 6 in. W x 2 ft. 8 in. H x 4 ft. 0 in. L
30 in. x 2 ft.9 in. D
24 ft. x 30 ft. x 7 ft.
4 ft.0 in. x 30 in. H
3 ft. 0 in. W x 3 ft. 0 in. H x 4 ft. 0 in. L
36 in. x 3 ft.0 in. D
25 ft. x 50 ft. x 7 ft.
4 ft.0 in. x 30 in. H
3 ft. 0 in. W x 3 ft. 0 in. H x 4 ft. 0 in. L
36 in. x 3 ft.0 in. D
30 ft. x 60 ft. x 7 ft.
4 ft.0 in. x 30 in. H
3 ft.0 in. W x 3 ft. 3 in. H x 4 ft.0 in. L
36 in. x 3 ft. 3 in. D
(2) Hale Ku`ai.
HALE KU`AI
SHED STYLE
HALE KU`AI
GABLE STYLE
FRAMING SCHEMATIC
HALE KU`AI
W x L x H
Pou Kihi minimum diameter
Pou Kaha minimum diameter
Pou Hana minimum diameter
Pouomanu minimum diameter
O`a minimum diameter
Kuaiole & Holo minimum diameter
Kauhuhu minimum diameter
Lohelau minimum diameter
Rafter Spacing maximum spacing
5 ft. x 10 ft. x 5 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
3 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
2 in.
4 ft.
9 ft. x 12 ft. x 5 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
3 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
2 in.
4 ft.
12 ft. x 16 ft. x 5 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
4 in.
2 in.
4 ft.
14 ft. x 20 ft. x 5 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
2 in.
4 in.
2 in.
4 ft.
NOTE: The maximum post spacing for Pou Kihi and Pou Kaha is 5 feet. The maximum post spacing for Pou Hana and Pouomanu is 12 feet.
(3) Hale Noa. Hale Noa shall have at least two openings. One opening shall be at least 3 feet wide and 5 feet high, and the other opening shall be at least 2 feet wide and 3 feet high.
HALE NOA
SECTION VIEW
FRAMING SCHEMATIC
HALE NOA
W x L x H
Pou Kihi minimum diameter
Pou Kukuna & Pou Kaha minimum diameter
Pou Hana minimum diameter
Pouomanu minimum diameter
O`a minimum diameter
Kuaiole & Holo minimum diameter
Kauhuhu minimum diameter
Lohelau minimum diameter
Post Spacing maximum spacing
Rafter Spacing maximum spacing
9 ft. x 12 ft. x 7 ft.
3 in.
3 in.
4 in.
3 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
2 in.
6 ft.
4 ft.
12 ft. x 20 ft. x 7 ft.
4 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
2 in.
6 ft.
4 ft.
4 ft. x 24 ft. x 7 ft.
5 in.
4 in.
4 in.
3 in.
3 in.
2 in.
3 in.
3 in.
6 ft.
4 ft.
(4) Hale Wa`a.
HALE WA`A
FRAMING SCHEMATIC
HALE WA`A
W x L
O`a minimum diameter
Kuaiole & Holo minimum diameter
Kauhuhu minimum diameter
Rafter Spacing maximum spacing
Ridge Height minimum height, H
20 ft. x 60 ft.
4 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 ft. to 5 ft.
22 ft.
25 ft. x 60 ft.
5 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 ft. to 5 ft.
27 ft.
30 ft. x 60 ft.
5 in.
3 in.
4 in.
4 ft. to 5 ft.
27 ft.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
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