INTRODUCTION 
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Every building tells a story. 
Some remain attractive, functional, and structurally sound 
for generations. Others begin showing signs of premature 
deterioration 
only a few years after construction or repainting. 
While differences in design, materials, and workmanship certainly 
play a role, the environment surrounding a building often has the 
greatest influence on how well it performs over time. 
Nowhere 
is this more evident than in Hawaii. 
The Hawaiian Islands provide an extraordinary place to live, 
but they also present extraordinary challenges for buildings. 
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INTENSE 
SALT-1.AOEN 
HIGH 
SEASONAL 
RAPID BIOlOGICAl 
SUNLIGHT 
TRAOEWlNDS 
HUMIOITY 
STORMS 
GROWTH 
These forces combine to create conditions unlike those found in much 
of the continental United States. They are constant. They do not pause 
between maintenance cycles or wait until a building owner is ready to 
address them. They act every day, gradually influencing the condition 
of every exposed surface. 
• 
f) 
SIGNS TELL A STORY 
Many property O\Yners first notice deterioration only after 
it becomes visible. Paint begins 10 fade. Surfaces develop 
mildew or algae. Sealants crack. Rust stains appear beneath 
metal fasteners. Roofs become discolored. 
DON'T BE MISLED 
These visible symptoms are often mistaken for isolated 
cosmetic issues whon, in reality, they are indicators of 
ongoing environmental processes that have been 
developing for months or even years. 
STEWARDSHIP IS THE ANSWER 
Recognizing these signs--and understanding what they 
represent-is 
the foundation of effective property 
stewardship. 
PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE 
Property stewardship extends beyond routine maintenance 
or occasional repairs. It is a long-term commitment to 
understanding how a building performs, recognizing how 
environmental conditions affect its materials, and making 
informed decisions that protect its value over time. 
Stewardship is proactive rather than reactive. 
It emphasizes preservation 
over restoration 
and planning over crisis management. 
'' 
Understanding 
the environment 
is the first step toward 
preserving what matters. '' 
THIS GUIDE HAS BEEN WRITTEN WITH 
THAT PHILOSOPHY IN MIND. 
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The chapters that follow explain why Hawaii's climate 
accelerat&s building deterioration, 
how exterior coatings 
protect the materials beneath them, why those coatings 
eventually fail, and what practical steps property owners 
can toke to slow unnecessary deterioration. 
The discussion draws upon established principles of building 
science, coating performance, 
environmental 
exposure, and 
preventive maintenance while presenting them in language 
that is occessible to property owners and property 
management 
professionals 
allke. 
Whether you own a single-family 
home, manage a 
condominium 
association, oversee a commercial facility, 
or simply want to better understand how Hawaii's 
environment 
affects your property, the goal of this 
publication 
is the same: to provide knowledge 
that 
supports better decisions. 
Buildings rarely fail because of one 
catastrophic 
event. 
More often, they reflect the cumulative 
effects 
of countless small environmental 
exposures 
and maintenance 
decisions made over many years. 
EDUCATE 
INSPECT 
MAINTAIN 
PROTECT 
STEWARDSHIP 
TODAY 
VALUE TOMORROW 

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