US Small Business Administration opens Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Hawai‘i following Kona low storms

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Kailua-Kona, Kihei, Maui, and Waialua, O‘ahu, to assist businesses, private nonprofit organizations and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred in March.

The center in Kona opened April 29 at Hanama Place at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy., Ste. 101. Staff will be available to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome, and in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”

The center will be open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Business Recovery Center is located in a conference room at the Hawai‘i County Office of Aging in Hilo at 1055 Kinoole St., Ste. 101. It will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 14. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 7, 2027.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits — including faith-based organizations — with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could not be paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.