The state plans to begin reimbursing up to $2,100 to homeowners who've taken steps to strengthen their homes against hurricanes and windstorms in a program set to kick off next month.

Hawai'i homeowners who are undertaking hurricane retrofits now or have made the improvements during the past four years will be eligible to get 35 percent of their costs covered by the state under its Loss Mitigation Grant Program.

The program is part of a legislative effort to bulk up the state's emergency preparedness and lessen the impacts of disasters. Some of the funding for the program is coming from interest earned off the Hawai'i Hurricane Reserve Trust Fund, which exists to provide hurricane insurance when private sector insurers are unable to do so. State Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt said about $4 million is available this year and another $2 million next year for the grants.

"We always encourage homeowners to consider wind-resistant devices to improve their structures," Schmidt said. Homes meeting the program's performance specifications should be less susceptible to windstorm damage and may save on premiums, he said.

Among the retrofit projects eligible for reimbursements include roof-to-wall restraint ties, roof wood sheathing fastening, foundation strengthening and other projects.

The state Insurance Division expects to have standards, grant applications and a Web site detailing the program available in early October. Schmidt will be discussing details when the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii presents a workshop Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i in Honolulu.

In addition to the grant program, speakers will discuss hurricanes, hurricane insurance and preparedness. Among the presenters will be state Director of Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Robert Lee and Jim Weyman, of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

More information about the free workshop is available at the structural engineer's Web site at www.SEAOH.org.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.