New sites opening to help residents apply for federal disaster assistance

Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, representatives will staff additional locations opening at the beginning of next week to connect with Big Island residents who experienced damage caused by the back-to-back kona lows that impacted the islands in March.

Federal emergency management personnel will be available starting Monday, May 4, in South Kona at Kealakekua Public Library and in Puna at Keaʻau Armory at Herbert Shipman Park to answer questions and assist with registering for individual assistance.

Assistance is available under a presidential major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi because of extensive damage from the March 10-24 storms.

“You can apply for FEMA assistance online and by phone, but some people may need a little extra face-to-face help, and these community sites will help them get it,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda in an announcement about the new sites.

New site locations and schedules

Kealakekua Public Library, 81-6619 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Kealakekua

Monday through Friday, May 4-June 12

• 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays
• Noon to 4 p.m. Fridays

Keaʻau Armory, Herbert Shipman Park, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau

Monday through Friday, May 4-22

• Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays
• 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays

NOTE: Schedules can be adjusted based on demand for services.

Access to help through the new community sites will be in addition to already existing ways residents can apply for disaster assistance, such as low-interest loans through U.S. Small Business Administration, agricultural assistance, social services and nonprofit organizations.

For Federal Emergency Management Agency individual assistance (residents)

Registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 14. Apply online or call the federal emergency agency’s helpline at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

For U.S. Small Business Administration assistance (residents and businesses):

Physical damage loan application deadline is June 14. Economic injury loan application deadline is Jan. 7, 2027. Apply online, call 800-659-2955 or email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

You can also visit:

• U.S. Small Business Administration Business Recovery Center, located at 1055 Kinoʻole St., in Hilo from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
• Disaster Loan Outreach Center, located at Suite 101, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, in Kailua-Kona from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays.

For immediate assistance

Complete a request for assistance from a coalition of nonprofits, businesses and government agencies because of issues caused by the storms or a similar emergency incident if you require immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal or shelter.

Visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website and follow the “Disaster Recovery” link to find additional information about resources available for storm recovery.