RLAA FAQs

By receiving this letter, am I required to participate in the analysis?

NO, this is an open, but voluntary opportunity to provide comments.

If I have never flooded, why did I receive this letter and offer for comments?

The RLAA covers a broad study of areas adjacent to structures that have flooded, in an effort to offer mitigation measures should a resident have the potential for future flooding and request information.

If I have been impacted by one or more flooding events, is it possible to offer comments and remain confidential?

YES, all comments when aggregated, will not be identified by resident name or address, or any other identifying information.

By receiving this letter, will I be required to purchase flood insurance?

NO, this is a broad study or analysis of areas that have the potential for flooding.

Since I received this letter and I am not inside the FEMA special flood hazard area, can I buy flood insurance?

YES, flood insurance is available within the City and County of Honolulu by contacting an insurance agent.

Will my homeowner’s policy (Building and/or Contents) cover flooding?

NO, rising water from hurricane, storm surge and/or rain storms are not covered by a standard homeowner’s policy.

What type of mitigation measures are considered in the analysis?

There are a wide range of measures that are within these groups:

  • Preventative, e.g., building codes
  • Property Protection, e.g., elevation
  • Natural Resource Protection, e.g., preserve natural areas
  • Emergency Services, e.g., actions taken during flood incident
  • Structural Projects, e.g., flood mitigation measures
  • Public Information, e.g., HNL.info notifications

Will I be able to find my address in the RLAA?

NO. The Federal Government passed the Privacy Act that prohibits release of actual repetitive loss properties identified by FEMA.

If the City becomes a CRS community and if I have a flood insurance policy, how will I receive the CRS discount?

At your next policy renewal date after May 1, 2022, the discount will automatically be applied.

Will this analysis result in an increase in my flood insurance costs if I already have a policy?

NO. This analysis is informational to inform the City on possible ways to reduce the causes or impacts from repetitive flooding.

For residents or homeowners who wish to implement flood mitigation measures, is any funding assistance available?

YES. There are a variety of federal and state grants that can be made available. Some require matching funds, some may not.