HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-29 Governor Ige NR18-06 - Disaster Ag Loans Approved 5-29-18
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR
SCOTT ENRIGHT
CHAIRPERSON
HAWAII BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NR18-06
May 29, 2018
HAWAII BOARD OF AGRICULTURE APPROVES EMERGENCY DISASTER LOAN
PROGRAM FOR KAUAI FLOOD AND KILAUEA ERUPTION
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Board of Agriculture (Board) today approved parameters for emergency low-
interest agricultural loans for farmers suffering damage due to the heavy rain and flooding on Kauai and
Oahu in April and the current eruption phase at Kilauea volcano on Hawaii Island.
The Board approved the emergency loan program which offers disaster-related loans of up to $500,000
at an interest rate of three percent, with loan terms to be determined on a case-by-case basis. The
Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Agricultural Loan Division will process loan applications
based on past farm production, projected cash flow and disaster recovery plans. Three-year residency
and other requirements usually necessary for agricultural loans will also be waived. Loan applications
will be accepted until June 2019.
In addition to the disaster loan program, HDOA also offers microloans of up to $25,000 that involves
less paperwork and offers swifter processing. Loan officers will also work with those with existing
agricultural loans on loan payment deferrals. The Agricultural Loan Division may be contacted at
808-973-9460.
“It’s painful to see all the damage to our agricultural crops and businesses caused by the recent natural
disasters,” said Gov. David Ige. “The Board’s approval ensures that funding is available to support
agricultural recovery efforts.”
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Hawaii Board of Agriculture Approves Emergency Disaster Loan Program
May 29, 2018
Page 2
“The financial burden of the recent natural disasters hits the agriculture industry particularly hard,” said
Scott Enright, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “HDOA’s agricultural loan program will do
its best to help our farmers and ranchers get back in business as soon as possible.”
On April 15, 2018, Gov. David Ige declared the County of Kauai a disaster area due to heavy rains and
flooding and authorized state funds for disaster relief. A supplementary disaster proclamation was
issued by the Governor on April 18 to include the City and County of Honolulu due to heavy rains
and flooding.
On May 3, 2018, Gov. Ige issued a proclamation declaring the County of Hawaii as a disaster area due
to the eruption at Kilauea and lava flows occurring in the East Rift Zone.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture issued a disaster declaration for the County of
Kauai which allows for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency
(FSA), including low-interest disaster loans. The FSA office on Kauai may be contacted at: (808) 245-
9014 Ext. 2.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also has a disaster loan program for nonfarm
businesses which are dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production
losses on Kauai.
For loan assistance and more information on HDOA’s Agricultural Loan Program, go to:
http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/
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Media Contact:
Janelle Saneishi, Public Information Officer
Hawai`i Department of Agriculture
808-973-9560
hdoa.info@hawaii.gov
http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/