In 1975 Honolulu adopted a building code that required compartmentation or fire sprinklers, most developers chose sprinklers as the more economical solution. There was a an extension until 1976 to submit permits.  Buildings that submitted permits up until early 1976 were not required to have sprinklers.  Because it takes a few years to finish buildings, there are many buildings built in the late 1970s and early 1980s that are not equipped with fire sprinklers.  It was not until the 1988 building code that fire sprinklers were required for all new high-rise buildings.