Photo: ideatrendz · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kahului than in 97% of U.S. towns, led by tsunamis
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kahului gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #55 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is tsunamis (41%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Kahului faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Tsunamis
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Kahului’s grade
Tsunamis are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kahului, and Kahului’s rate of tsunamis damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 33%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #55 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kahului’s residents live in 6 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, Kahului has more expected damage per building than 59% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.1M a year in losses across Kahului: $25.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kahului flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kahului, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm2 claims · $12K
Kahului isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Maui County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kahului
Disasters that paid out in Kahului itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kahului), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$184K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds1,179 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
Maui County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 9 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Maui County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Kahului after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kahului archive →Kahului and its neighbors
Kahului 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 Kahului faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Kahului
Is Kahului at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kahului has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #55 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is tsunamis (41%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kahului flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Kahului since 1980, $300K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (2).
Is Kahului 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 Maui County, 4.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kahului?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kahului’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 Kahului?
By FEMA money that reached Kahului, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 44 households applied for aid, $184K approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 2 paid, $12K.
Is Kahului at risk from tsunamis?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Kahului’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kahului.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kahului’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.