Photo: 293.xx.xxx.xx · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Pukalani’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pukalani gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #11 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pukalani 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
Earthquakes
Volcanic activity
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 Pukalani’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pukalani, and Pukalani’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #11 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pukalani’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, Pukalani has less expected damage per building than 89% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Pukalani: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pukalani flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pukalani. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pukalani 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Pukalani
Disasters that paid out in Pukalani itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pukalani), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds19 households applied for aid$300 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 Pukalani after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pukalani archive →Pukalani and its neighbors
Pukalani has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pukalani | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Haliimaile | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Makawao | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kula | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Pukalani 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Keep N95 masks and goggles for ash.
- Know the evacuation routes.
- Keep ash out of the house and car vents.
- 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 Pukalani
Is Pukalani at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pukalani has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #11 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pukalani 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 Pukalani?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pukalani’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 Pukalani?
By FEMA money that reached Pukalani, Wildfires and High Winds (2023): 19 households applied for aid, $300 approved.
Is Pukalani at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Pukalani’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pukalani.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pukalani’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.