Kamakahonu, Residence Of King Kamehameha I · Photo: W Nowicki · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Kailua’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kailua 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 earthquakes (46%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1985.
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 Kailua faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Kailua’s grade
Earthquakes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kailua, and Kailua’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 45%, 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).
Kailua’s residents live in 5 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, Kailua has more expected damage per building than 59% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.1M a year in losses across Kailua: $19.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kailua flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kailua, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm4 claims · $532K
- Hurricane Iniki1 claim · $26K
Kailua isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hawaii County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kailua
Disasters that paid out in Kailua itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kailua), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides54 households applied for aid$293K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides11 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides39 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Hawaii County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hawaii County, 2000–2026.
Old photos of Kailua after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kailua archive →Kailua and its neighbors
Kailua is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahaluu-Keauhou | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Kailua | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 19 |
| Holualoa | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kaiminani | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Kailua faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Kailua
Is Kailua at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kailua 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 earthquakes (46%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kailua flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Kailua since 1985, $1.1M in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (4).
Is Kailua 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 Hawaii County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kailua?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kailua’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 Kailua?
By FEMA money that reached Kailua, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 54 households applied for aid, $293K approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 4 paid, $532K.
Is Kailua at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Kailua’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kailua.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kailua’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.