Oʻahu residents urged to check new flood zone maps ahead of major FEMA changes

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, December 11, 2025

OʻAHU — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the City and County of Honolulu are encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with the updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for O‘ahu and prepare for changes to flood insurance requirements and building regulations if newly mapped.

These updated maps provide critical new insights into evolving flood risk across the island and become effective June 10, 2026.

Since 2019, FEMA has studied numerous streams across O‘ahu, many of which had never been evaluated before. Based on these studies, FEMA released preliminary updates to O‘ahu’s FIRM on July 31, 2024. As a result of these updates, some properties were re-classified within high-risk zones — known as Special Flood Hazard Areas — for the first time. The preliminary maps then underwent a 90-day public appeal and comment period from March 13, 2025 to June 10, 2025.

On December 10, 2025, FEMA issued a Letter of Final Determination for the City’s preliminary FIRM maps. The letter starts a six-month compliance period with the maps becoming effective June 10, 2026, giving property owners and the City time to prepare.

Once the updated FIRM becomes effective on June 10, 2026, property owners who are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and possess a federally-backed loan or mortgage may be required by their lender to obtain flood insurance. Additionally, all property owners in the SFHA will need to comply with Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Chapter 21A – Flood Hazard Areas building regulations.

Oʻahu residents can check if their property is affected by visiting resilientoahu.org/GetFloodReady.

The City encourages residents whose properties are now designated as being within Special Flood Hazard Areas to contact their insurance providers during the compliance period to confirm whether flood insurance coverage is required and to explore available options and costs. If required, failure to obtain flood insurance may result in a policy being force-placed by their lender within 45-days after the effective date (June 10, 2026). Having a policy force-placed means residents would have no control over the policy cost or coverage terms. Residents are encouraged to talk with their insurance providers to determine if they are eligible for pre-FIRM or newly mapped discounts.

To help the community better understand these updates and their implications, a virtual Open House and two in-person Open Houses are scheduled where FEMA, the City and DLNR representatives will provide valuable information on the FIRM update process, flood risks, potential changes to flood insurance requirements, and steps residents can take to protect their properties from flooding. Residents will also have a direct opportunity to ask questions. These events are especially important for those who are newly mapped into the Special Flood Hazard Area, though all Oʻahu residents are encouraged to attend.

Virtual Open House: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m

Please register by visiting resilientoahu.org/GetFloodReady. After registering, you will receive a meeting link and calendar hold via email, which you can use to join the webinar. This session will include a Question & Answer section.  

In-Person Open Houses: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Kāneʻohe Community & Senior Center, Multi-Purpose Room, 45-613 Pūʻōhala Street, Kāneʻohe, 96744 from 9:30 a.m. – noon
‘Aiea Public Library, Public Meeting Room, 99-143 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea, 96701 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The City remains committed to ensuring both the safety and financial security of Oʻahu residents. In 2021, the City proactively joined FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, a voluntary program that rewards strong floodplain management practices with discounts on flood insurance premiums. As a result, National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in Honolulu enjoy a 10% reduction in annual premiums, helping to ease the burden of flood insurance costs. Additionally, discounts may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program and residents are encouraged to attend an open house to learn more.

Flooding occurs naturally, and can happen almost anywhere at any time. Although some areas have lower or undetermined risk, there is no such thing as a “no-risk” zone. Additionally, while FIRMs utilize the latest hydrological and hydraulic data to assess flood risks, they do not consider future conditions where storms that contribute to flooding are projected to increase in frequency and severity. Property owners are encouraged to consider obtaining a flood insurance policy, even if they are not required to have one, as standard homeowner’s and renter’s insurance does not cover flood damage.

For residents requiring accommodations, such as sign language interpretation or real-time captioning, please email the City or call 808-768-2279 at least three business days before the event. Requests received later may not be fulfilled. Additional assistance is also available through FEMA’s Civil Rights Resource Line by email or 833-285-7448.

To learn about the map changes, explore resources on flood insurance, and find out if your property is affected, visit resilientoahu.org/GetFloodReady. For more information on the updated flood maps and to download the FIRMs, visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. For specific map questions, contact FEMA’s Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) via email or 877-336-2627. FMIX hours of operation are weekdays from 8 a.m. EST/1 a.m. HST to 6:30 p.m. EST/11:30 p.m. HST.

For media inquiries, email the FEMA Region 9 desk or call 510-627-7006. For information specific to the National Flood Insurance Program, contact the Department of Planning and Permitting via email or 808-768-8284, and the DLNR via email or 808-587-0396. For information specific to the Community Rating System, contact the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency via email or 808-768-2279.