Image Source: www.gis.hawaiinfip.org/FHAT/, 2016

First-time homebuyers on Maui with questions about purchasing flood insurance, and those who want to learn more about the island’s flood hazard areas may be eligible to participate in a low-cost, federal flood insurance program.

The State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources manages the National Flood Insurance Program, which is available to Maui property owners.

This program enables owners with property in flood zones to purchase flood insurance protection.

The basics of the NFIP state is as follows: If a community creates and enforces a “floodplain management ordinance” that will reduce future flood risks for new development, and make improvements upon flood hazard areas, the federal government will support the community to make flood insurance available at a reasonable cost.

The NFIP is a program administered by the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA).

The DLNR is the state’s designated coordinating agency for the Island of Maui and the outer islands for information regarding the National Flood Insurance Program.

Each of Hawai‘i’s four counties has a community representative—a specific county floodplains manager.

For information about how to contact the Maui County floodplain manager about building permit- related questions, go online.

Flood insurance is available through mass-market insurance companies, such as Progressive, State Farm, Geico and USAA.

To purchase insurance directly from an agent, the company must be a member of the National Flood Insurance Program. In addition, your property needs to be in an area that’s eligible for coverage.

To see Hawai‘i’s DLNR flood hazard assessment tool, go online.