Hazard mitigation describes lasting actions that help reduce or eliminate risks to people and property caused by future natural hazards or disasters, such as flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, landslides, or tsunamis.

Mitigation actions can include projects to harden existing buildings so they are better protected, such as installing windows that can withstand high wind and flying debris.

Mitigation also includes actions like updating building codes or implementing polices that limit development in unsafe areas or ensure new structures and constructed to better withstand hazard impacts.

Hazard mitigation is not only important well before a disaster occurs, but also after a disaster during the rebuilding process.  Including hazard mitigation actions into the rebuilding process ensures we don’t just restore damaged property to its same condition, leaving the community at risk of similar impacts in the future. Including hazard mitigation in during post-disaster recovery leads to building stronger, safer and smarter communities that are better able to reduce future injuries and future damage.

Hazard mitigation is different from disaster preparedness activities and emergency protective measures. 

Disaster preparedness focuses on actions taken before a disaster to ensure we are ready to respond when a disaster occurs, such as making plans, taking training or purchasing emergency supplies.

Emergency protective measures are temporary, just-in-time actions taken when a hazard is threatening or occurring to protect people and property. Examples include placing sandbags to divert flood water or boarding up windows.

The City and County of Honolulu’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (“LHMP”) documents the City’s hazard risks and sets priorities, strategies, and actions for reducing those risks.

Local Governments must revise their LHMP and resubmit it for FEMA approval at least every five (5) years to remain eligible for federal grant programs that can support hazard mitigation.

The City’s LHMP is due for renewal and is being updated based on regulations found in FEMA’s  Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide. The current plan expires in February 2025.

The updated plan will address changes over the last 5 years, including progress towards mitigation actions and new studies, data or modeling that help inform our understanding of hazard impacts on Oahu. 

The LHMP will also be expanded to address: 

• Human and technological hazards,
• Hazard impacts on vulnerable populations, and cultural and natural resources, and
• Climate change impacts across all hazard types.

Disasters pose risk for everyone. Reducing those risks requires participation from all parts of our community – individuals, organizations, businesses and government. Community involvement is an essential part of the plan update process and there will be a number of opportunities for the public to get informed and involved.

Join the OʻahuPrepared Webinar Series.

Beginning in April 2024 the City is hosting monthly public webinars that will be livestreamed on Facebook at @OahuDEM. Hazard subject matter experts will join local emergency management staff to discuss the major hazards that can impact Oahu, provide information on the plan update, and get feedback from the community. Recordings will be posted below.

• Wednesday, March 20th at 7-8 pm HST – Climate Change Impacts on Oʻahu’s Natural Hazards. Facebook recording.
• Wednesday, April 17th at 7 pm HST – Tsunami Preparedness Facebook recording.

Submit an Online Survey.

Provide feedback on the hazards you are most concerned about and where you think more work needs to be done to inform the public. Scroll down to submit a survey repsonse.

Provide Feedback on Draft Plan.

The draft of the updated plan is anticipated to be ready for public review in late 2024. This section will be updated at that time with instructions on how to submit comments.  

Join DEM at a Community Event.

The Department of Emergency Management regularly attends community sponsored events to share hazard information. Stop by for more information on the plan update. View our community event schedule here.