New Sites Opening May 4 to Help Residents Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
New Sites Opening May 4 to Help Residents Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
The County of Hawai`i announces additional locations where residents who experienced damage from the March 2026 Kona low storms can connect with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Starting Monday, May 4, FEMA personnel will be available to answer questions and assist with registering for Individual Assistance in South Kona at the Kealakekua branch of the Hawai`i State Public Library System, and in Puna at the Keaʻau Armory at Herbert Shipman Park.
FEMA assists residents under a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaiʻi, a result of extensive damage from the storms of March 10-24.
“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 Mayor Kimo Alameda.
The planned schedules for the new sites are listed below, and may be adjusted based on demand for services.
Hawai‘i State Public Library System, 81-6619 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, 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.
Keaʻau Armory, Herbert Shipman Park 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau
Monday, May 4-Friday, May 22
• Mondays-Thursdays: noon-8 p.m.
• Fridays: 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Access to help through the new community sites will be in addition to the existing ways that residents can apply for disaster assistance, such as low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), agricultural assistance, social services and non-profit organizations.
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.
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