Photo: jai Mansson from Chicago, United States of America · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pupukea than in 95% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pupukea gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #40 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then tsunamis (40%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2012.
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 Pupukea 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
Wildfire
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 Pupukea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pupukea, and Pupukea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #40 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pupukea’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, Pupukea has less expected damage per building than 58% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Pupukea: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pupukea flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pupukea, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm7 claims · $709K
Pupukea isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Honolulu County.The storms Pupukea remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Honolulu County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Pupukea itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20267 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Nolo, declared for Honolulu County
- 20233 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20121 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Honolulu County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Honolulu County, 2005–2025.
Old photos of Pupukea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pupukea archive →Pupukea and its neighbors
Pupukea has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupukea | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Haleiwa | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Kawela Bay | — | 376 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Pupukea 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Pupukea
Is Pupukea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pupukea has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #40 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and tsunamis (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pupukea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Pupukea since 2012, $1.3M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (7).
Is Pupukea 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 Honolulu County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pupukea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pupukea’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 Pupukea?
By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 7 paid, $709K.
Is Pupukea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Pupukea’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pupukea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pupukea’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.