HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2026-07 News Release_ Kona Low Assistance Centers ExpandedCOUNTY OF HAWAIʻIMAYOR C. KIMO ALAMEDA, PH.D.
Kona Low Assistance Centers Expanded
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2026
The County of Hawai’i announces that additional types of help are available at assistance
centers for residents who experienced damage caused by the March 2026 Kona low
storms.
In addition to representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) —
who can help with reimbursement for residential damage expenses through the Individual
Assistance program — the sites at Kea‘au and Kealakekua also will host:
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officials, who can assist with low-interest
loans for storm damages to businesses, homeowners and renters, and
Vibrant Hawai‘i representatives, who can connect residents to assistance with other
needs.
The County also has arranged for an assistance center to open in Nā‘ālehu effective May
26 through June 12, 2026, to offer similar services. The deadline to apply for most federal
disaster assistance programs for the Kona low storms is June 14, 2026.
Federal assistance is available under a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Hawai’i,
a result of extensive damage from the storms of March 10-24, 2026. The County’s
assistance centers opened Monday in South Kona at the Kealakekua branch of the Hawai’i
State Public Library System, and in Puna at the Keaʻau Armory at Shipman Park.
Revised schedules for the assistance centers (including Nāʻālehu) are listed below and may
be adjusted based on demand for services. All sites will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day
and June 11 for King Kamehameha Day:
Hawai‘i State Public Library System, 81-6619 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kealakekua
Monday, May 4-Friday, June 12
Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesdays: noon-2 p.m., 3-7 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Fridays: noon-4 p.m.
Kea’au Armory, Herbert Shipman Park 16-512 Volcano Road, Kea’au
Monday, May 4-Friday, May 22
Mondays-Thursdays: noon-7 p.m. (Modified from previous schedule)
Fridays: 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m.
Nā‘ālehu Public Library, 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Na‘alehu
Tuesday, May 26-Friday, June 12
Communication No. 2026-07
Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Thursdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Fridays: Noon-4 p.m.
The assistance centers are operating in addition to the current disaster assistance that
residents can apply for, such as agricultural assistance, social services, and non-profit
organization support.
For more information on resources available for storm recovery visit the Hawai‘i County
Civil Defense Agency website at https://bit.ly/HICivilDefense and follow the “Disaster
Recovery” link, or see selected programs listed below.
For FEMA Individual Assistance (residents): The registration deadline is June 14, 2026,
at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call the FEMA Helpline
at (800) 621-3362 daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. HST.
For SBA assistance (residents and businesses):
Physical Damage Loan application deadline is June 14, 2026. Economic Injury Loan
application deadline is Jan. 7, 2027. Apply online at https://lending.sba.gov/search-
disaster/?disaster=HI-20010, call (800) 659-2955 or email
disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
You may also visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at 1055 Kinoʻole St., Hilo,
Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 75-5706
Kuakini Highway, Suite 101, Kailua-Kona, Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
If you require immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter —
from a coalition of nonprofit, business, and government due to issues caused by the storms
or a similar emergency incident, please complete a Request for Assistance.
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Media Contact:
Tom Callis
Public Information Officer
Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaiʻi
Desk Phone: 808-961-8316
Mobile Phone: 808-767-2471
Email: tom.callis@hawaiicounty.gov