Photo: Michael Oswald · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Kihei, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kihei gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #68 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tsunamis (28%). Flood insurance has paid 200 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 stands out about Kihei’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kihei 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
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 Kihei’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kihei, and Kihei’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #68 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kihei’s residents live in 7 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, Kihei has more expected damage per building than 73% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.8M a year in losses across Kihei: $19.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kihei flood? Yes: 200 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kihei, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm81 claims · $9.4M
Kihei 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 Kihei
Disasters that paid out in Kihei itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kihei), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides321 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved81 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds1,537 households applied for aid$98K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
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 Kihei after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kihei archive →Kihei and its neighbors
Kihei is 2nd of the 2 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 Kihei 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.
- 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 Kihei
Is Kihei at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kihei has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #68 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tsunamis (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kihei flood?
Flood insurance has paid 200 claims in Kihei since 1980, $19.7M in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (81).
Is Kihei 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 Kihei?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kihei’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 Kihei?
By FEMA money that reached Kihei, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 321 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 81 paid, $9.4M.
Is Kihei at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Kihei’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kihei.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kihei’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.