Hawaiʻi County expands community resource center services to assist with earthquake impacts

Hawai‘i County, in coordination with partners, is expanding disaster assistance services available to residents impacted by the major magnitude-6.0 May 22 earthquake centered near Nāpō‘opo‘o and Hōnaunau.

The expanded services at community resource centers will help residents apply for federal assistance, case management and receive other help navigating the recovery process.

Approval of a presidential disaster declaration opened the door to applications for financial assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration for property damage not covered by insurance or otherwise reimbursed.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration effective Sept. 14 will have representatives available Monday through Friday in South Kona to answer questions and assist with applications for earthquake aid.

The community resource center will operate until further notice:

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday: Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
• Noon to 4 p.m. Friday: Kealakekua Public Library, 81-6619 Māmalahoa Highway, Kealakekua.

Services also will be available at pop-up locations each Saturday, with the location announced each week on Thursday via the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website and social media:

• Until 4 p.m. today (Sept. 12): First pop-up event at Hau‘oli Ka Mana‘o Church, 89-1115 Miloli‘i Road, Miloli‘i.

Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives also will be available Monday through Saturday beginning Sept. 14 at the community resource center in North Kona at Hanama Place (behind Big Island Grill), located at 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 101, in Kailua Kona.

Hours until further notice are:

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Monday through Friday.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Saturday.

Additional assistance could be added at the community resource center as it becomes available.

Applications for federal assistance must be supported by documentation, reviewed and approved; assistance is not guaranteed.

Federal Emergency Management Agency individual assistance can cover temporary housing assistance, repairs, personal property and other expenses related to the earthquake not covered by insurance or other assistance.

You do not need to apply in person for assistance.

To apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid:

• Complete an online application.
• Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency Helpline at 800-621-3362, available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Apply in-person at a community resource center.

U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster assistance loans for property damage to qualified property owners and renters, with terms up to 30 years to repay and no payments due for the first year.

Businesses also could qualify for assistance if they sustained economic injury.

To apply:

• Complete an application online.
• Call the toll free number at 800-659-2955.
• Email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• Apply in-person at an community resource center.