FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mahinahina than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from tsunamis
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahinahina gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is tsunamis (50%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 Mahinahina 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 Mahinahina’s grade
Tsunamis are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mahinahina, and Mahinahina’s rate of tsunamis damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mahinahina’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $913K a year in losses across Mahinahina: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mahinahina flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mahinahina, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm1 claim · $38K
Mahinahina 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.The storms Mahinahina remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Maui County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Mahinahina itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20101 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20261 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Nolo, declared for Maui County
Maui County has had 21 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 Mahinahina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mahinahina archive →Mahinahina and its neighbors
Mahinahina is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napili-Honokowai | Dmore damage than 92% | tsunamis | — |
| Kaanapali | Dmore damage than 94% | tsunamis | — |
| Mahinahina | Dmore damage than 94% | tsunamis | 2 |
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 Mahinahina 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 Mahinahina
Is Mahinahina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahinahina has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is tsunamis (50%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mahinahina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Mahinahina since 2010, $45K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (1).
Is Mahinahina 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 Mahinahina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mahinahina’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 Mahinahina?
By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 1 paid, $38K.
Is Mahinahina at risk from tsunamis?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Mahinahina’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mahinahina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mahinahina’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.