Photo: Eric Guinther · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Haleiwa than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haleiwa gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #79 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tsunamis (40%). Flood insurance has paid 89 claims here since 1980.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Haleiwa faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tsunamis
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Haleiwa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haleiwa, and Haleiwa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #79 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haleiwa’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Hawaii town has higher expected damage than 96% of U.S. towns; within the state, Haleiwa has more expected damage per building than 85% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Haleiwa: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haleiwa flood? Sometimes: 89 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haleiwa, from FEMA’s records: 46.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm31 claims · $2.4M
Haleiwa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Honolulu County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haleiwa
Disasters that paid out in Haleiwa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Haleiwa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides303 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved31 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding353 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved28 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Honolulu County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Honolulu County, 2005–2025.
Old photos of Haleiwa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haleiwa archive →Haleiwa and its neighbors
Haleiwa is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Haleiwa faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Haleiwa
Is Haleiwa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haleiwa has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #79 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tsunamis (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Haleiwa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 89 claims in Haleiwa since 1980, $3.7M in all, or 46.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (31).
Is Haleiwa in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Honolulu County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Haleiwa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haleiwa’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Haleiwa?
By FEMA money that reached Haleiwa, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 303 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 31 paid, $2.4M.
Is Haleiwa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Haleiwa’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haleiwa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haleiwa’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.