2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: Hawaii — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: October 15, 2026

90 ZIP codes ranked by Infrastructure Stress Indicator #1: ZIP 96769 (Makaweli, HI) - 73/100

Out of 90 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Hawaii, these areas have the highest modeled infrastructure stress indicator values, computed from area-level data on infrastructure age, funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. The indicator is not a measured failure probability or forecast.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 90
Highest stress indicator 73/100
Median stress indicator 37/100
Average stress indicator 39/100
State Hawaii

Top 90 ZIP Codes by Infrastructure Stress

Rank ZIP Code City State Infrastructure Stress Stress Level Safety Score
1 96769 Makaweli HI 73/100 Very High —
2 96747 Kaumakani HI 72/100 Very High —
3 96751 Kealia HI 66/100 Very High —
4 96773 Ninole HI 64/100 Very High —
5 96764 Laupahoehoe HI 63/100 Very High —
6 96776 Paauilo HI 63/100 Very High —
7 96780 Papaaloa HI 63/100 Very High —
8 96759 Kunia HI 62/100 Very High —
9 96777 Pahala HI 59/100 High —
10 96774 Ookala HI 52/100 High —
11 96719 Hawi HI 51/100 High 100/100
12 96727 Honokaa HI 50/100 High 100/100
13 96755 Kapaau HI 49/100 High 100/100
14 96730 Kaaawa HI 48/100 High —
15 96731 Kahuku HI 48/100 High —
16 96781 Papaikou HI 48/100 High —
17 96712 Haleiwa HI 47/100 High 100/100
18 96728 Honomu HI 47/100 High —
19 96757 Kualapuu HI 47/100 High —
20 96796 Waimea HI 47/100 High —
21 96762 Laie HI 46/100 High 100/100
22 96783 Pepeekeo HI 44/100 High —
23 96717 Hauula HI 42/100 High 100/100
24 96720 Hilo HI 42/100 High 100/100
25 96752 Kekaha HI 42/100 High —
26 96790 Kula HI 42/100 High 100/100
27 96714 Hanalei HI 41/100 High —
28 96761 Lahaina HI 41/100 High 100/100
29 96779 Paia HI 41/100 High 100/100
30 96791 Waialua HI 41/100 High 100/100
31 96792 Waianae HI 41/100 High 100/100
32 96741 Kalaheo HI 40/100 Moderate —
33 96768 Makawao HI 40/100 Moderate 100/100
34 96848 Honolulu HI 40/100 Moderate —
35 96746 Kapaa HI 39/100 Moderate —
36 96756 Koloa HI 39/100 Moderate —
37 96816 Honolulu HI 39/100 Moderate 100/100
38 96713 Hana HI 38/100 Moderate —
39 96732 Kahului HI 38/100 Moderate 100/100
40 96765 Lawai HI 38/100 Moderate —
41 96770 Maunaloa HI 38/100 Moderate —
42 96819 Honolulu HI 38/100 Moderate 100/100
43 96822 Honolulu HI 38/100 Moderate 100/100
44 96704 Captain Cook HI 37/100 Moderate —
45 96716 Hanapepe HI 37/100 Moderate —
46 96766 Lihue HI 37/100 Moderate —
47 96815 Honolulu HI 37/100 Moderate 100/100
48 96701 Aiea HI 36/100 Moderate 100/100
49 96703 Anahola HI 36/100 Moderate —
50 96722 Princeville HI 36/100 Moderate —
51 96772 Naalehu HI 36/100 Moderate —
52 96782 Pearl City HI 36/100 Moderate 99/100
53 96789 Mililani HI 36/100 Moderate 100/100
54 96817 Honolulu HI 36/100 Moderate 100/100
55 96826 Honolulu HI 36/100 Moderate 100/100
56 96708 Haiku HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
57 96734 Kailua HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
58 96744 Kaneohe HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
59 96748 Kaunakakai HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
60 96750 Kealakekua HI 35/100 Moderate 99/100
61 96771 Mountain View HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
62 96821 Honolulu HI 35/100 Moderate 100/100
63 96729 Hoolehua HI 34/100 Moderate 97/100
64 96825 Honolulu HI 34/100 Moderate 100/100
65 96710 Hakalau HI 33/100 Moderate —
66 96763 Lanai City HI 33/100 Moderate —
67 96793 Wailuku HI 33/100 Moderate 100/100
68 96753 Kihei HI 32/100 Moderate 100/100
69 96795 Waimanalo HI 32/100 Moderate 100/100
70 96754 Kilauea HI 31/100 Moderate —
71 96705 Eleele HI 30/100 Moderate —
72 96725 Holualoa HI 30/100 Moderate 99/100
73 96785 Volcano HI 30/100 Moderate —
74 96786 Wahiawa HI 30/100 Moderate 100/100
75 96749 Keaau HI 29/100 Moderate 100/100
76 96778 Pahoa HI 29/100 Moderate 100/100
77 96797 Waipahu HI 29/100 Moderate 100/100
78 96813 Honolulu HI 29/100 Moderate 100/100
79 96818 Honolulu HI 29/100 Moderate 100/100
80 96760 Kurtistown HI 28/100 Moderate 100/100
81 96814 Honolulu HI 28/100 Moderate 100/100
82 96706 Ewa Beach HI 25/100 Moderate 100/100
83 96707 Kapolei HI 24/100 Moderate 100/100
84 96738 Waikoloa HI 24/100 Moderate 100/100
85 96740 Kailua Kona HI 24/100 Moderate 99/100
86 96860 J B P H H HI 24/100 Moderate —
87 96863 M C B H Kaneohe Bay HI 24/100 Moderate 100/100
88 96857 Schofield Barracks HI 23/100 Moderate 100/100
89 96737 Ocean View HI 21/100 Moderate —
90 96743 Kamuela HI 19/100 Low 100/100

Methodology

Infrastructure stress rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA 2023) — state-level 20-year infrastructure need per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) available Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and testing results. The combined value is a normalized 0-100 comparative stress indicator, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-10-15.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the infrastructure stress indicator mean?

The indicator summarizes infrastructure funding gaps, housing age, violation history, and lead indicators on a 0-100 scale. It is a comparative heuristic, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast of a water-main break.

How is infrastructure stress calculated?

The indicator combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure need per capita (EPA DWINSA 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system compliance history (EPA SDWIS), and available lead indicators.

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Ask your water utility or health department about testing your tap water, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. If you use a filter, choose one certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for the specific contaminant, such as lead. Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high stress mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure stress is a screening indicator of long-term vulnerability, not a measurement of current contamination or a prediction of failure. For current conditions, check utility notices and the latest Consumer Confidence Report, and test your tap for contaminants of concern.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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