HAWAII ISLAND: Revised “Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps” – or DFIRM – are being issued by FEMA, and the  Department of Public Works is warning that the new maps may impact insurance rates for Hawaii County residents.

The maps will be made available for public comment during open houses on August 9 and 10.

According to the county:

Results of the Kona and Puna Flood Studies are not included in the preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for Hawai‘i County.

To ensure affected property owners understand the preliminary DFIRM map change process, open houses will be held on August 9 at the Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., and on August 10 at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Conference Room A, in Kailua-Kona from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Personnel from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), FEMA, State Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawai‘i County, Department of Public Works will be available to answer questions.

Also taking place at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center on August 10, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., will be a workshop on the topic of Substantial Improvement / Substantial Damage. This workshop provides a valuable training opportunity for engineers, architects, planners, and community officials.

If you require additional auxiliary aids and services for effective communications at these meetings, please contact Department of Public Works at 961-8321 as soon as possible, but no later than five days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations.

Link to FEMA Post-Preliminary Process Digital Flood Map Fact Sheet.

Public Works notes the following as locations that will be affected: Pu’ukapu, and Lanimaumau Stream in Waimea, the coastal areas from Upolu Point in North Kohala to Cape Kumukahi in Puna, Palai Stream, Piakuli and portions of Waiakea Stream

Ka’u district councilwoman Brittany Smart later wrote in a follow up email, “Coastal areas especially near Honaunau, Ho’okena, Ki’ilae, and Miloli’i should be aware that their insurance rates may increase. Pa’auau Stream near Pahala will also be discussed at these meetings”