Repairing and Rebuilding After A Fire, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu

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Repairing and Rebuilding

Securing Your Home

After the fire fighters depart, your home becomes your responsibility. Remove all valuables if you cannot live in the house. Should a fire fighter or Fire Investigator be on the scene, they will accompany you into the house. You are responsible for securing doors, windows, and other areas against unauthorized entry.

If You Cannot Live in the House

If you are in need of immediate assistance after a fire, you may get assistance from the local American Red Cross (ARC). After contacting them, the ARC may issue vouchers for food, clothing, lodging, and other services, including prescription medication and eyeglasses. An ARC Disaster Case Worker will be assigned to assist you.

The Honolulu State Chapter Headquarters of the ARC:

6 a.m. to 12 midnight: 808-734-2101

After hours: 808-732-3430

Moving out Temporarily or Permanently

Notify the following of your new address:

Bank(s) and credit cards companies (Local Directory)

Board of Water Supply 808-748-5010

Hawaiian Electric Company 808-548-7311

Hawaiian Telcom 808-643-3456

Social Security Administration 800-772-1213

The Gas Company 808-535-5933

United States Post Office 800-275-8777

Real Property Assessment

Contact the Real Property Assessment office if your home is seriously damaged or destroyed by fire, water, or other means. Provide your property address and/or tax map key. An appraiser will do a field check. Long-term repairs of construction may affect your real property assessment. If the home is not rebuilt before the next assessment period, the assessment is calculated only on land value.

Real Property Assessment: 808-527-5500

Utilities

Often, the Honolulu Fire Department will have utility services shut off or disconnected as a safety precaution to prevent further damage to the structure and its contents. The procedures for establishing utility services are as follows:

Electricity: An electrical inspector from the Building Division of the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) must check the wiring to be sure it is safe. Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) then inspects the wiring before the power can be reconnected. HECO repairs or replaces the electrical service line and service meter, if damaged. The owner is responsible for the cost of repairing any electrical wiring or devices past the service meter.

Remember: DO NOT operate wet or damp appliances. Have a service person check them first. Electricity and water do not mix!

HECO Customer Assistance Center: 808-548-7311

Water: Call the Board of Water Supply (BWS), Customer Service Division to terminate water service.

BWS Customer Service: 808-748-5000

Construction

The amount of damage to a home dictates which permits are required by the Building Division of the DPP. A repair permit is required for minor damage requiring repairs. A demolition permit is required to tear down a home. Multiple permits are required if the damage to the structure is more than 50 percent. Check with your property insurance carrier before any work is started.

Building Division of the DPP Permit Counter: 808-523-4505

Friday, October 27, 2006