Hawai‘i County officially announced the recipients of the second round of grants awarded for the Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program totaling $3.3 million.
Out of 38 applications initially requesting $10.6 million, 16 organizations were chosen. Funding for this grant program, as well as Puna Strong, were created as vehicles to provide community groups and nonprofits access to that funding in their revitalization and resilience efforts following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. During the 124-day event, the volcano’s lava flows destroyed about 700 homes and structures, 32.5 miles of public and private roads, and 14.5 miles of water lines.
The State of Hawaiʻi is providing a combined $20 million for general recovery needs. Recipients included:
Mālama Homesteads Road Restoration, Fiscal Sponsor, Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum
Men of Paʻa Workforce Development Program
Kealoha Estate Road Restoration, Fiscal Sponsor, Mālama O Puna
Hawaiʻi Volcano Education and Resilience Institute
Purple Maiʻa Workforce Development Project
Pohaku Pelemaka Stewardship Project
Holo Lio Road Restoration Project, Fiscal Sponsor, Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum
Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education Facility Renovation Project, Fiscal Sponsor, Hawaiʻiʻs Volcano Circus
Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance Training program for Animal Rescue Volunteers
Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council Floriculture Apprenticeship Program
Puna Flower Power Project to Complete Greenhouse restoration, Fiscal Sponsor Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council
Hoʻoulu Lāhui Noho Paʻa (Permanent Home) for Kua O Ka Lā
ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke Education Program and Market Access for Native Hawaiians
“This second investment in community builds on initial program success, increasing the capacity of local nonprofits and enhancing Puna’s overall resilience,” said Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz.
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“This $3.3 million investment in our community speaks volumes about the dedication and collaboration between the Council District 4 office and the County of Hawai‘i,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Seeing different parts of our government work together to get funding to some truly inspiring organizations in Puna serves as a reminder of the meaningful impact we can achieve through collective efforts.”
Initially established through an ordinance in 2020 to aid communities and residents directly affected by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, the grant program aimed to support immediate recovery needs. A 2023 code amendment provided more flexibility, opening the program up to supporting long-term resilience efforts and assisting eruption-impacted populations in Lower Puna.
The first round funded projects like road repairs, agriculture, restoration of farms, affordable housing construction, stewardship, community resilience, and more. In the second round of grants, a broader range of projects is being funded, including non-government road restorations, renovations of farm and agriculture facilities, cultural programs, investment in educational facilities, virtual resilience hubs, disaster preparedness training, animal rescue, and workforce development projects.
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The recovery grant program was authorized by the County Council to allow recovery funding to be provided to individuals and private organizations through nonprofit organizations. The County Council is required to approve grants above $25,000. The resolution to award grant funds to identified community partners will be introduced at the Finance Committee on Feb. 6.
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