When is hurricane season in Hawaii? (2024)

Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June to November, though the Aloha State sees the most hurricanes in July, August, and September.

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Kara McGinleySenior Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertKara McGinley is a former senior editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. As a journalist and as an insurance expert, her work and insights have been featured in Forbes Advisor, Kiplinger, Lifehacker, MSN, WRAL.com, and elsewhere.

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Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

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Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 every year. The 2022 Central Pacific hurricane season was below average, producing just one tropical cyclone in total, according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [1]  The NOAA has not yet released predictions for the 2024 season, but we will update this page as soon as it issues its forecast.

Wind damage often isn't covered under homeowners insurance policies in Hawaii. [2] That means if you own a home in Hawaii, you may need to purchase additional windstorm insurance coverage to be fully protected against hurricane damage.

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What month does Hawaii have the most hurricanes?

The Hawaiian islands are at most risk for hurricanes and tropical storms from July to September. The last major hurricane to cause historically devastating damage directly to the Hawaiian Islands was Hurricane Iniki in September of 1992. It was a Category 4 storm that resulted in over $3 billion in damage. [3]  

Hawaii often gets hit by tropical storms — which are slightly less strong than hurricanes — in the months of August and September

Where do hurricanes hit the most in Hawaii?

Because Hawaii is made up of islands, most areas are at risk for hurricane and tropical storm damage. The island of Kauai was directly hit by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, and experts predict that nearly 15,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Oahu also suffered from hurricane damage. 

Maui, which is the second largest Hawaiian island, hasn’t been directly hit by a hurricane in over 100 years. That said, tropical storms often bring in rainfall that results in flood and wind damage. Tropical Storm Olivia, for example, directly hit Maui in September 2018 and resulted in heavy rainfall and downed trees. [4]  

The Big Island is also at risk for hurricane damage. In August of 2018, Hurricane Lane weakened to a tropical storm by the time it reached Hawaii, but still brought 19 inches of rain to the Big Island, causing major flooding and extensive property damage. [5]  

Is it safe to go to Hawaii during hurricane season?

Traveling to any place can come with unexpected weather risks. If you’re traveling to Hawaii during hurricane season, it’s important to check local weather updates for the island you’re visiting. Make sure you subscribe to local government official alerts and updates to stay informed.

Has a hurricane ever hit Oahu?

Direct hits to Oahu have been rare in recent history, but the island still experiences storm damage. For example, Hurricane Iniki in 1992 did not directly hit Oahu, but the island still experienced damage.

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How to prepare for hurricane season in Hawaii

Living in Hawaii means tropical storms are a part of life. It’s important to be prepared in the event of a disastrous tropical storm or hurricane. Here are a few things you can do before, during, and after a storm. 

Before the storm

  • Have an emergency plan in place

  • Create an emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least 14 days

  • Sign up for community or country emergency storm alerts

  • Purchase hurricane insurance

  • Know your home’s flood risk and purchase flood insurance

  • Plan an evacuation route

During the storm

  • Follow weather and emergency alerts

  • Do not drive through flood waters 

  • Stay indoors and keep away from windows and glass

  • If you need shelter, you may be able to find open shelters through Red Cross

After the storm

  • Listen to local officials on safety precautions and what to do next

  • Stay away from flooded areas

  • Wear protective clothing while cleaning up your residence

  • Contact your hurricane insurance and flood insurance company if there’s damage to your home

  • Take photos of the property damage to document it

Learn more >> How to file a home insurance claim after a natural disaster

Insurance considerations for hurricane season in Hawaii

In Hawaii, many homeowners insurance companies exclude coverage for hurricane damage. That means if you only have a homeowners policy and your home is destroyed by a hurricane, you won’t be able to file a claim for repairs. When purchasing home insurance, make sure you ask the insurer whether or not hurricane coverage is included. Here’s what to do if it’s not. 

Hurricane deductibles

If your home is damaged by hurricane winds, you may have to pay a separate hurricane deductible before insurance will pay out your claim. This is different from your standard dollar amount deductible and is typically expressed as a percentage of your home's insured value. Most hurricane deductibles are anywhere from 1% to 5%.

Windstorm insurance

In Hawaii, wind damage isn’t covered by homeowners insurance. To supplement this gap in coverage, you’ll need to purchase a separate windstorm insurance policy or add wind coverage to your home insurance.

Flood insurance

Neither home nor hurricane insurance policies include coverage for flood damage. In order to be protected against the frequent flooding in Hawaii, you’ll need flood insurance.

You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — a FEMA-backed organization — or through private flood insurance companies.

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References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    . "

    2022 Hurricane Season Summary for the Central Pacific Basin

    ." Accessed May 18, 2023.

  2. Insurance Information Institute

    . "

    Hurricane Lane Poses Biggest Threat To Hawaii Since 1992’s Iniki

    ." Accessed June 08, 2022.

  3. CNN

    . "

    The last major hurricane to hit Hawaii caused $3 billion in damage and knocked out power for weeks

    ." Accessed June 08, 2022.

  4. MauiHawaii.org

    . "

    Hawaii Hurricane Season

    ." Accessed June 08, 2022.

  5. CNN

    . "

    Hurricane Lane brings 19 inches of rain to parts of Hawaii

    ." Accessed June 08, 2022.

Corrections

No corrections since publication.

Author

Kara McGinley is a former senior editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. As a journalist and as an insurance expert, her work and insights have been featured in Forbes Advisor, Kiplinger, Lifehacker, MSN, WRAL.com, and elsewhere.

Expert reviewer

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

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