The state will launch a $50,000 advertising campaign to draw more interest in a grant program for homeowners to make their houses more secure against hurricane wind damage.

The state Insurance Division in September began a Loss Mitigation Grant Program that pays 35 percent of the cost of installing approved wind-resistive devices, to a maximum of $2,100. The program aims to improve the hurricane survivability of the state's housing inventory.

But homeowner participation so far has been low. Since the program began, more than 900 people inquired about the program, and 362 requested applications, said state Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt. But the state has received only 171 applications and issued 145 grants totaling about $200,000, he said.

"That's less than we had anticipated," Schmidt said. "We know that there are thousands of homes that can benefit from the hurricane mitigation devices. We've had mailers put in HECO bills and I think some of the wind insurance companies put notices in their premium mailers. But the response has not been overwhelming."

Schmidt said taking into account Hawai'i's high cost of living, some homeowners may be choosing not to spend money on such home upgrades. But he also said finding contractors — many of whom have already been busy — to retrofit homes has been a challenge for some homeowners, prompting officials to talk with the Building Industry Association about the program.

A more concentrated ad campaign, which will likely begin later this month, will hopefully reach those who haven't heard about the program, Schmidt said. The state will probably spend more on advertising in the future as well, he said.

"It's always an uphill battle to get people to do things that are good for them," he said. "It's something that would be very beneficial to the homeowner. It would be helpful for the state of Hawai'i because when we are hit by a hurricane that would mean less damages and it would mean some lower insurance premiums for the people of Hawai'i."

The Legislature had appropriated $4 million from the state Hurricane Relief Fund for the program, Schmidt said.

The grants the state provided averaged about $1,000, although a condominium association was granted about $50,000 for retrofitting multiple units, he said.

The program Web site details which improvements qualify for a refund, and how to apply.

The program's basic goal is to increase wind resistance, using things like steel brackets that connect roofs to walls and walls to foundations, roof decking improvements, protection of windows and construction of safe rooms inside homes.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.