Category: News Releases

If you have NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) coverage, start a claim at FloodSmart.gov/recover/start-a-claim.

If you have flood insurance through a PRIVATE CARRIER, contact your insurance company or producer (agent) to start a claim.

General Steps to Filing a Homeowners, Condo, Renters Claim:

• Once it is safe, check for and document damage by taking clear photos / videos.
• Secure your property to prevent further damage and keep receipts for any materials used to do so.
• After reviewing your policy’s coverages and claims procedure, follow the claims procedure or contact your insurance company or producer (agent) to report your damage and FILE A CLAIM.
• Submit proof of loss forms or other claims forms if requested by your insurer.
• Set damaged items aside for later review / inspection by your adjuster.
• Don’t begin permanent repairs until damage is inspected by your adjuster or approved by your insurer.
• Work with your adjuster and a licensed contractor to estimate the cost of repairs.
• Receive settlement check and begin repairs. Be wary of scams. Do not sign your entire claims check over to a contractor.

If you have COMPREHENSIVE (OTHER THAN COLLISION) coverage on your motor vehicle insurance policy, contact your auto insurer.

Auto Insurance Claims (if vehicle is non-drivable)

• Contact your auto insurance company or producer (agent) to FILE A CLAIM. Be prepared to provide information on the condition of your vehicle and where it is located.
• If it is determined that your vehicle is a total-loss:
  • Work with your adjuster to determine the condition the vehicle was in prior to the damage and what the mileage was (last safety check paperwork should have this and is a good ballpark).
  • Locate your auto title. If you do not have a copy or it was destroyed, apply for a duplicate copy from the County (Motor Vehicle & Licensing).
  • Research listings for vehicles like yours in your area so you can determine if the offer your insurance company provides is in line with your vehicle’s value.
  • If you agree with the offer, work with your adjuster to finalize your claim and sign paperwork and your title over to them.
    • If you have a loan, your insurer will get a payoff amount from your lender and pay you the balance of the vehicle’s value after your lien is paid off.
      • To expedite your balance payment, see if your insurer will create / accept a limited power of attorney to use to sign off on your portion of the title once the lienholder sends it to them.
  • If you do not agree with the offer, provide your research and work with your adjuster to negotiate the value of your vehicle.
    • Your policy has an appraisal clause you can invoke if you reach in impasse.

Auto Insurance Claims (if vehicle is drivable)

• Ensure your and others’ safety by confirming your vehicle is safe to drive.
• Contact your auto insurance company or producer (agent) to FILE A CLAIM. Work with them to estimate the damage or value of your vehicle.
• Once you and your insurer have determined the initial cost of repairs, work with a shop to have your vehicle repaired.
  • If additional damage is discovered during the course of the repairs, your insurer will work with you and the shop on a supplement to the original estimate and issue additional payments as need.
    • If you have a car loan on the damaged vehicle and the repair costs are extensive, your lienholder may be listed on the payment.

For a printable PDF of this information, please click here.
For more storm claims information, please click here.

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

BUSINESS REGISTRATION DIVISION
TY Y. NOHARA
COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2026

HONOLULU — The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, and Hawaiʻi Credit Union League (HCUL), announces that the team from ‘Iolani School is the winner of the annual Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition, conducted today at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

The competition tests students on their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, as well as consumer rights and responsibilities. Following the preliminary online portion of the competition, top scoring teams from Kalani, ‘Iolani and Waipahu High Schools were invited to compete in today’s in-person competition, where they tested their skills through a “speed smarts” activity and game show-style buzzer rounds.

‘Iolani School will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National LifeSmarts Competition in Orlando, Florida, from April 15 – 18, 2026. Members of the team are: James Chen (team captain), Donovan Kwan, Dominic Nakama, Henry Li, and Inseo Kim. The team was coached by Kit U Wong.

“Congratulations to ‘Iolani School who will represent Hawaiʻi at the National Competition in Orlando,” said DCCA Deputy Director Dean Hazama. “Through the LifeSmarts program, students gain critical life skills that prepare them for adulthood and we are proud to have been a sponsor of this statewide program for more than 20 years. Mahalo to our staff, volunteers and community partners for their generous contributions toward another successful year of Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts.”

2026 Hawaiʻi State Competition Community Supporters include:
• Accenture
• Beachside Roofing
• Big Island Federal Credit Union
• Cisco
• Coastal Construction Company Inc.
• Farmers Hawaiʻi
• Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union
• Hawaiʻi Credit Union League
• Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA)
• Hawaiʻi Information Service
• Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Foundation
• Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA)
• Kualoa Ranch Hawaiʻi Inc.
• Pacxa
• Pacific Point
• Pearl Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union

Visit www.LifeSmartsHawaii.com for more information.

LINK: MEDIA

LifeSmarts is a national consumer education program that prepares students to enter the real world as smart consumers by teaching them the skills needed to succeed in today’s global marketplace. The program is run by the National Consumers League and sponsored locally by the DCCA Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Credit Union League.

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 808-586-7582

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

BUSINESS REGISTRATION DIVISION
TY Y. NOHARA
COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU — The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, and Hawaii Credit Union League (HCUL) announce the top scoring high school teams for the online portion of the annual Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition.

Teams from Iolani, Kalani, and Waipahu high schools have earned their spot to compete at the in-person State Competition, which will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center, Hawaiʻi Suites. The event will be open to the general public

Students will test their team skills through a “speed smarts” activity and gameshow style buzzer rounds at the in-person State Competition. The winner of the competition will represent Hawaiʻi at the National LifeSmarts Competition in Orlando, Florida from April 15 – 18, 2026.

“Congratulations to ʻIolani, Kalani and Waipahu high schools”, said Commissioner of Securities Ty Nohara. “Thank you to all the teams who competed in the online competition, and we look forward to seeing the top four teams at the state competition.” LifeSmarts is a consumer education program designed to teach students in grades 6-12 about personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities. The Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts program is locally sponsored by the DCCA’s Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, in partnership with HCUL, and is run by the National Consumers League.

For program information and/or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Coordinator, Theresa Kong Kee, at (808) 587-7400 or [email protected]

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Phone: 808-586-7582
Email: [email protected]