Kona Low Assistance Centers Expanded
The County of Hawai’i announces that additional types of help are available at assistance centers for residents who experienced damage caused by the March 2026 Kona low storms.
In addition to representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — who can help with reimbursement for residential damage expenses through the Individual Assistance program — the sites at Kea‘au and Kealakekua also will host:
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officials, who can assist with low-interest loans for storm damages to businesses, homeowners and renters, and
- Vibrant Hawai‘i representatives, who can connect residents to assistance with other needs.
The County also has arranged for an assistance center to open in Nā‘ālehu effective May 26 through June 12, 2026, to offer similar services. The deadline to apply for most federal disaster assistance programs for the Kona low storms is June 14, 2026.
Federal assistance is available under a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Hawai’i, a result of extensive damage from the storms of March 10-24, 2026. The County’s assistance centers opened Monday in South Kona at the Kealakekua branch of the Hawai’i State Public Library System, and in Puna at the Keaʻau Armory at Shipman Park.
Revised schedules for the assistance centers (including Nāʻālehu) are listed below and may be adjusted based on demand for services. All sites will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day and June 11 for King Kamehameha Day:
Hawai‘i State Public Library System, 81-6619 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kealakekua
Monday, May 4-Friday, June 12
- Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Wednesdays: noon-2 p.m., 3-7 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Fridays: noon-4 p.m.
Kea’au Armory, Herbert Shipman Park 16-512 Volcano Road, Kea’au
Monday, May 4-Friday, May 22
- Mondays-Thursdays: noon-7 p.m. (Modified from previous schedule)
- Fridays: 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m.
Nā‘ālehu Public Library, 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Na‘alehu
Tuesday, May 26-Friday, June 12
- Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Fridays: Noon-4 p.m.
The assistance centers are operating in addition to the current disaster assistance that residents can apply for, such as agricultural assistance, social services, and non-profit organization support.
For more information on resources available for storm recovery visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency website at https://bit.ly/HICivilDefense and follow the “Disaster Recovery” link, or see selected programs listed below.
For FEMA Individual Assistance (residents): The registration deadline is June 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. HST.
For SBA assistance (residents and businesses):
- Physical Damage Loan application deadline is June 14, 2026. Economic Injury Loan application deadline is Jan. 7, 2027. Apply online at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=HI-20010, call (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
- You may also visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at 1055 Kinoʻole St., Hilo, Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 101, Kailua-Kona, Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
If you require immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter — from a coalition of nonprofit, business, and government due to issues caused by the storms or a similar emergency incident, please complete a Request for Assistance.
