Kokua Line: How do FEMA grants compare to flood insurance?

Question: We have a flood insurance policy underwritten by FEMA coming up for renewal and we suspect with a large increase in premium. We have been fortunate in having no flood damage. It provides only about half the value of our home and the amount cannot be increased. The deductibles are large. It appears that FEMA pays whether there is insurance or not and those without insurance have no deductible. Is there any reason to continue buying flood insurance?

Answer: Yes, and you are mistaken about Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster grants, which are only for uninsured losses; FEMA can’t duplicate benefits. When losses exceed a claimant’s flood insurance coverage, FEMA can help cover the gap, and it also may pay costs that insurance won’t.

In fiscal year 2025, FEMA’s maximum grant amounts were $43,600 for Housing Assistance and $43,600 for Other Needs Assistance, or a total of $87,200 for a claimant eligible for each maximum, according to its website. This funding is available to eligible Hawaii residents affected by the Kona-low flooding that occurred March 10-24. The deadline to apply is June 14. For details, go to and click on “Kona Low Storms Disaster Recovery.”

By contrast, a standard residential flood policy issued through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by FEMA, provides greater coverage for customers who purchase the maximum amount, which it sounds like you have. A NFIP policy can cover up to $250,000 in flood damage to your home (structure) and up to $100,000 for your belongings (possessions inside the home). Read more at .

FEMA grants are meant to help make a damaged home safe and livable, not restore it to its former glory, while insurance coverage is meant to repair, rebuild or replace a damaged home and its contents. In either case, damage must be verified; maximum payments are not automatic.

As for why to consider buying flood insurance, most standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage and plenty of damaging events don’t generate a presidential declaration, which is required for FEMA to issue disaster aid. An individual flood insurance policy can be in force regardless of whether damage rises to the level of a major regional disaster.

As hurricane season looms, with the possibility of five to 13 named storms and tropical depressions making the forecast worse than usual, state officials are urging Hawaii residents to review their insurance and supplement as needed; read policies carefully to understand what is and is not covered.

“Many consumers may not realize that most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover hurricane and flood damage. Hurricane insurance must be purchased separately or added as an endorsement onto the existing policy to ensure protection against hurricane-related damage. Damage caused by floods is also usually covered under a separate policy. Since flooding can occur anytime and anywhere, even outside high-risk areas, it is important for property owners to consider adding flood insurance coverage. Those planning to purchase a National Flood Insurance Program policy should plan ahead, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect,” according to a news release from Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Q: Will there be free buses to the Memorial Day ceremony at Punchbowl? If yes, how do we access?

A: There will be free shuttles from two nearby schools, but if you are asking about TheBus, no, it won’t be free. Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation described the following transportation options for Monday’s ceremony, which is free, open to the public and will start at 8:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific:

>> For people who intend to drive themselves, know that parking at Punchbowl will be extremely limited. Additional public parking will be available at Lincoln Elementary School and Stevenson Middle School. Parking at all three locations will open at 7 a.m. Courtesy shuttles will run from the two schools to Punchbowl, and back after the ceremony ends.

>> Public parking also will be available at the Civic Center Parking Structure, with special TheBus Route 123 service from nearby Alapa‘i Transit Center to Punchbowl. Parking will be free but regular bus fares will apply. The first bus from Alapa‘i Transit Center will depart at 7 a.m., with three more trips to Punchbowl leaving every 20 minutes. The final bus will depart at 8 a.m. Return trips to the transit center will begin as soon as the ceremony ends.

>> TheHandi-Van passengers with reservations will be dropped off at Punchbowl and picked up after the ceremony.

>> Private vehicles, taxis and ride-share companies can drop off and pick up passengers at Punchbowl.

>> Carpooling, public transportation and use of the school park-and-rides is encouraged to reduce traffic congestion at Punchbowl.

>> No tour buses will be allowed within the cemetery grounds before noon on Memorial Day.

>> People who plan to visit Punchbowl on Memorial Day but who are not planning to attend the public ceremony are encouraged to arrive after noon Monday to avoid ceremony traffic.

Mahalo

Mahalo to the bus driver driving to Kahala Mall about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday who passed my stop just far enough so I could avoid a yelling, pacing man when I got off. The driver was thoughtful! — From a very senior kupuna

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email .

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