Community resource centers, online applications available to people impacted by Kona earthquake
Community resource centers will open today (Sept. 4) in Captain Cook to assist people and families impacted by the magnitude-6.0 May 22 earthquake in the Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo area.
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi Island in connection with the May earthquake, making federal assistance from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration available to eligible Hawaiʻi County residents who sustained earthquake-related damage or losses.
Applications must be supported by documentation, reviewed and approved, and assistance is not guaranteed. Applicants will need to supply a government ID, contact information, insurance information, expense receipts, and other records, but may start the application process before they have all the required documents.
Hundreds of residents reported impacts from the quake, which damaged foundations, water systems and other property.
Vibrant Hawaiʻi social service navigators will provide in-person assistance with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawaiian Council applications as well as help residents navigate available disaster recovery resources.
Center locations and times
Yano Hall
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
- 82-6145 Māmalahoa Highway
Hōnaunau Elementary School
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5
- 83-5360 Māmalahoa Highway
Yano Hall
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Sept. 8-11
- 82-6145 Māmalahoa Highway
Contact Vibrant Hawaiʻi at 802-365-1808 or via email at contact@vibranthawaii.org for additional information.
Other ways to apply
Federal disaster assistance applications can be completed online on the FEMA website. The FEMA helpline is also available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at (800) 621-3362.
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster assistance loans for property damage to qualified property owners and renters, with terms of as much as 30 years to repay and no payments due for the first year.
Applications can be completed online on the Small Business Administration website. For more information, call (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Additional resource centers are being established and will be listed on the Disaster Recovery page of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency website as they are scheduled.
