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Home My WebLink AboutCommunication No. 2026-09 Kilauea Recovery ReportCommunication No. 2026-09 The 2018 Kīlauea Eruption Disaster Recovery Team was founded in the fall of 2019. Major Projects: •Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Voluntary Housing Buyout Program •Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program •Puna Strong Grant Program •Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program •Revitalize Puna Activations •Revitalize Pohoiki community conversations The lesson we learned in Puna is clear: when communities lead and government collaborates, recovery becomes more than rebuilding—it becomes an opportunity to create a stronger, more connected future. Thank you Douglas POHOIKI ROAD AND HIGHWAY 137 Pohoiki Road is scheduled to reopen in the second quarter of 2027 Mango Road Realignment Highway 137 is scheduled to reopen by the end of this year Highway 137 Blessing September 24, 2024 KĪLAUEA RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM Kilauea Recovery Grants Build Community Recovery Grant Phases 1 – 2 – 3 KILAUEA RECOVERY GRANTS Phase 1 $3,494,324 Phase 2 $3,293,400 Phase 3 $6,480,873 Total: $13,268,597 Project Categories: Capital Improvements $7,214,992 Economic Revitalization $4,275,112 Community Resilience $1,778,493 Kilauea Recovery Grants Build Community Recovery Grant Phases 1 – 2 – 3 6 Road Restoration Projects 10 Cultural & Natural Preservation & Traditional Agriculture 6 Workforce Development 3 Economic Revitalization 3 School Restoration 6 Farm Restoration 10 Community Resilience & Emergency Preparedness 2 Water Supply Restoration 1 Affordable Housing 2 Environmental Restoration Many of these projects are cross-overs they address more than one sub-category Kilauea Recovery Grants Build Community Recovery Grant Phases 1 & 2 53,534 Volunteer hours reported to date (The County values a volunteer hour at $32.10) Value of volunteer hours reported to date: $1,718,441 Kilauea Recovery Grant Projects have attracted $2,465,248 In additional funding Kilauea Recovery Grant Projects have attracted “In-Kind” Donations valued at $703,353Kilauea Recovery Grant Projects have generated jobs. 182 people have been employed for a total of $1,655,169 in wages Most of the $6,871,724 grant funding has been paid to local vendors, contractors, and professionals PUAMANA ROAD This community’s former access road was inundated. A disused alternate road was restored to allow access to 16 parcels Kua O Ka La Facility Renovation, Subdivision, & Purchase Kua O Ka La is the only school to have lost its facility during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. While the original facility, with its tidepools and culturally and historically significant location, can never be replaced, the school can have a new home. Kīlauea Recovery Grant 1 helped bring the school up to code and to re-open, Phases 2 & 3 support the subdivision, water & electric conversion, and purchase of this portion of the Nani Mau property. Pōhaku Pelemaka – Natural & Cultural Resource Protection and Preservation in Puna This project, networking with DLNR, DORAW, DOCARE, CoH Parks and Recreation, and private landowners, created an ‘Ohana stewardship plan for Ka’akepa. Niu Now, focused on protecting uluniu, ancient coconut groves. Identifying the niu varieties in the area, educating about coconut rhinoceros beetle. Puna Flower Power – New Orchid Park at Puna Rock Quarry & Apprenticeship Program 5 of the orchid growers who lost their greenhouses in the eruption created this orchid grower hui. With Federal, State, and Kīlauea Recovery Grant funding they have built this beautiful orchid facility at Puna Rock in Kea’au. From a gravel wasteland to this thriving enterprise in just 4 years. Puna Flower Power Orchid Park With the greenhouses up and equipped, water and irrigation systems working, the orchid facility is working with UH to train apprentices to be certified nursery professionals. Puna Strong Grant Program Puna Strong not only provides funding but also offers hands-on technical assistance to help grantees enhance their mission and impact. Through quarterly meetings, organizations receive support from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation in areas like strategic planning and nonprofit management. Notable guest speakers, such as Kumu Hina, facilitate discussions on cultural grounding. Since 2022, Puna Strong has supported various organizations that build resilience in the Puna district, including Hoʻoulu Lāhui, Men of Paʻa, and Mālama O Puna, as well as groups focused on animal welfare, youth mentorship, and cultural education. Ongoing support helps these grantees refine goals and build partnerships. The Puna Strong Collaboration Grants will further strengthen these efforts by fostering partnerships among grantees, such as Hawai‘i’s Volcano Circus and ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center, creating systems that enhance Puna's preparedness for future challenges. Building Community Capacity The Puna Strong program was created to support community resilience in the wake of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, recognizing that lasting recovery depends on the strength of local organizations and networks. Administered in partnership with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Puna Strong provides direct grants and technical support to nonprofits working on the front lines of disaster recovery, wellness, education, and cultural resilience. Since 2021, the County has committed over $2.6 million to the Puna Strong initiative, made possible by a $20 million appropriation from the Hawai‘i State Legislature and support from the Hawai‘i Island Strong Fund. To date, the program has funded more than 30 different grantee organizations and launched a Collaboration Grant Track to strengthen partnerships and collective impact. Puna Strong Grant Program Puna Strong Grant Program Identify a problem Ask for help Resolve together Why It Matters While government efforts focus on infrastructure and housing, it’s often grassroots organizations that meet people’s immediate needs for food, connection, safety, and a sense of place. Puna Strong invests directly in these organizations, helping them grow their capacity and continue serving their communities. It’s a critical piece of the County’s long-term recovery strategy that recognizes the power of local leadership. Puna Strong Grant Program Learn More Voluntary Housing Buyout Program CDBG-DR = Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery HUD (Housing & Urban Development) Grant of $107,561,000 Purpose: To purchase properties at risk of natural disaster and to remove them from the possibility of future development. These properties, by federal law, cannot be developed. Phase 1 – Primary Homes 316 (Max $230,000) Phase 2 – Secondary Homes 166 (Max $142,000) Phase 3 – Undeveloped Properties 225 (Max $22,000) Total 705 Current Status: 685 Properties purchased 17 In Escrow 3 Still being processed $89,000,000 disbursed to date Voluntary Housing Buyout Program KAPOHO LEILANI Lanipuna, Puua, Halekamahina Ala’ili Road Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program (CDBG-MIT) HUD GRANT OF $6,862,000 for Disaster Mitigation Projects – Island Wide Emergency Power for Water Infrastructure $ 876,750 Wildfire Mitigation and Incident Response $2,498,550 Shelter Capacity, Hisaoka, Kea’au Armory $2,310,000 Waikoloa Village Wildfire Evacuation Study $ 420,000 North Kona Flood Study $ 413,700 Administrative $ 343,000 TOTAL $6,862,000 Projects completed to date: Fire Equipment 3 Brush Trucks 1 Mobile Command Unit 1 Mobile Tactical Trailer Water Supply - Emergency Power Transfer Switches at Ola’a & Pi’ihonua Waikoloa Wildfire Evacuation Study Underway North Kona Flood Study contracted REVITALIZE PUNA From June 9, 2021 to July 12, 2025. Twelve Revitalize Puna Events Thousands attended These events were an opportunity for the community to: •Receive updates about the Recovery Activities, •Speak to Department heads and Representatives, and •To learn about resources available in the community. County of Hawai’i Disaster Recovery Division At the peak of activity, the Recovery Division core team was composed of 6 staff. A total of 7 Americorps Vista volunteers assisted our work. The Voluntary Housing Buyout Program had 14 staff members. At this time our staff numbers are greatly reduced. 2 Core Team Members, 4 Voluntary Housing Buyout Team members. Council District 5 Representative, Ashley Kierkiewicz, introduced legislation that would establish a Disaster Recovery framework within the Civil Defense Agency that activates when necessary. It has been passed by Council and is now ordinance. Our hope is that we can maintain the knowledge and experience we have gained in this disaster recovery effort and enable the County to stand-up a recovery function when needed. After a major disaster is declared, it takes months of planning and expertise to secure federal funding and the staffing to administer disaster recovery grants. https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/ Kīlauea Recovery Division Website Patti Pinto Disaster Recovery Program Specialist Patti.Pinto@hawaiicounty.gov 808-300-1169