Philip Maise

Hurricanes Dot (1959), Iwa (1982), and Iniki (1992) hit the island of Kauai. Lots of damage!

Based upon this historical view, and a look at other storm tracks in the figure above, hurricane insurance for any residence on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai looks prudent.

For a damaging hurricane to hit Oahu and Maui, you have to look back to 1986 when Estelle produced some good size waves that damaged a handful of ocean front homes. Whether hurricane insurance did these homeowners any good is unknown, since the damage my have been attributed to flooding and not wind. For any significant damage on Oahu, you need to look all the way back to 1957 when Hurricane Nina produced record winds in Honolulu. Certainly, Nina caused some damage, however, almost all houses since that time been either built or retrofitted with hurricane clips to minimize damage.

For a more complete list of hurricanes in Hawaii's history see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hawaii_hurricanes

Frequently, people cite that the Big Island of Hawaii has never had a recorded direct strike by a hurricane. This appears to be true. Normally the trade winds blow steadily from the east, scooting Pacific storms along a track that passes well south of Hawaii.

A recent exception was Hurricane Flossie in 2007. This Hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm after brushing past Hawaii's coastline. Despite concerns about flooding and wind damage, the storm brought little more than roiling waves and steady rain as its eye moved about 95 miles (153 kilometers) south of South Point on Hawaii's Big Island—the closest to approach the islands in 15 years.

The most common theory why the Big Island of Hawaii seems to be immune to Hurricanes is upper-level jet stream winds tend to rip the tops off the hurricanes and disperse them. These winds travel from West to East, and the normal Hurricane path is East to West. Therefore, the closer a storm approaches the Big Island, the more the top is ripped off and the power of the storm lost.

Examine the following photo closely:

Notice that as Flossie came close to the Big Island of Hawaii it changed from the typical round spiral shape to the one you see above. This view captures Flossie being ripped in half as its top clouds are sheered off and sent to the Northeast and the lower clouds continue to the West.

My conclusions are personal ones. I will let you draw your own. Should you care to know my personal opinion.

#1 I consider hurricane insurance for homeowners on Kauai a good idea.

#2 I think hurricane insurance on Maui and Oahu to be of very questionable value.

#3 I strongly believe hurricane insurance on the Big Island of Hawaii to be a waste of money.

Some mortgage companies force all homeowners in Hawaii to obtain hurricane insurance before they can get a loan. We do not. Therefore, keep in mind if you obtain your loan with another company...you are most likely going to pay for hurricane insurance whether you like it or not.

Please note I used the phrase "we do not". A loan I do for you may eventually be sold to another firm that believes you should have insurance. Unfortunately, they get to decide what is an adequate level of insurance and may require you to get it after your loan closes. However, with my firm you most likely would save at least one year of expensive hurricane insurance if you didn't think it was needed in your situation.

Ask me if you have any questions. If you are a bank that still forces all Hawaii residents to buy hurricane insurance..I would welcome a rebuttal.

The Island of Hawaii is made up of 5 volcanoes:

Kohala Considered Extinct

Mauna Kea Considered Extinct

Hualalai Currently Not Active

Mauna Loa Actively Expanding and "Due Soon"

Kilauea Currently Erupting

As a loan officer, I am frequently asked by clients if their home is covered in the event of a lava flow.

Surprisingly, even though the policy a firm gives you may say you are not covered, you really are covered.

In order to sell insurance policies in Hawaii firms must agree to abide by the laws of the State of Hawaii that prohibit this exclusion.

If you doubt me, check with our local Hawaii insurance commissioner.

Disclaimers:

1. Laws are subject to change, so this information is based upon my current knowledge.

2. When a volcano erupts, it may also shake the ground causing an earthquake. Homeowner insurance typically doesn't cover for earthquakes.

3. If access to your home is cutoff due to a lava flow and the home itself suffers no damage, you are typically not covered.