(BIVN) — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Thursday that it is offering additional assistance to Native Hawaiian families impacted by Hurricane Lala.
The Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program now provides eligible Native Hawaiian households in Kaʻū, the district hardest hit by the August storm, with a choice of two forms of assistance:
- Household Recovery Stipend — $750: A direct financial payment to an approved applicant that may be used for immediate household recovery needs, including repairs, replacement of essential supplies and other storm-related expenses.
- Backup Power Generator — Approximately $840 value: A voucher for a Firman tri-fuel generator designed to support household backup power needs. Once approved, recipients will receive instructions for arranging pickup of their generator from Costco on Hawaiʻi Island.
Each eligible household may receive one award, but not both, OHA says.
Applications are now being accepted through OHA’s Disaster Resources webpage at oha.org/disaster-resources.
“Our Kaʻū ʻohana have endured extraordinary challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Lālā, and we recognize that recovery doesn’t end when the storm passes or the roads reopen,” said OHA Board Chairperson and Hawaiʻi Island Trustee Kaialiʻi Kahele in a news release. “Many families are still dealing with damage to their homes, disruptions to essential services and the financial burden of rebuilding their lives. This program is another way OHA is standing alongside our beneficiaries, providing practical assistance while helping our communities become more resilient to future disasters.”
From the OHA news release:
The new program builds on OHA’s immediate response following Hurricane Lālā, when the agency funded emergency helicopter operations that delivered approximately 1,500 pounds of food, drinking water, fuel, hygiene products and other essential supplies to four of the most isolated communities in Kaʻū.
While those initial efforts addressed urgent survival needs, the Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program represents the next phase of OHA’s response, focusing on household recovery and preparedness.
“Our initial priority was getting critical supplies into communities that others simply couldn’t reach,” Kahele said. “Now our focus is helping families regain stability and prepare for the future. Whether it’s financial assistance to address damage or a generator to keep essential household equipment operating during an outage, we want our beneficiaries to have resources that make a meaningful difference.”
Supplies Delivered To Kaʻū Residents Isolated By Hurricane Lala (August 20, 2026)
To qualify for the Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program, applicants must be of Native Hawaiian descent, have a primary residence in Kaʻū that sustained damage from Hurricane Lālā, and provide the required documentation.
OHA says applicants must submit:
- Hawaiian Registry Program (HRP) number verifying Native Hawaiian ancestry.
- Damage report documenting storm-related damage to their primary residence.
- Proof of occupancy establishing that the damaged property is their primary
residence. - Completed W-9 form.
- Government-issued identification.
Applicants who do not currently have a Hawaiian Registry card may obtain information about registration through OHA’s Hawaiian Registry Program at oha.org/registry.
OHA says awards are limited and will be available only while program funding remains. Eligible households are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
“OHA’s responsibility to our beneficiaries extends beyond the immediate emergency,” Kahele added. “Recovery takes time, and we remain committed to helping our Kaʻū ʻohana rebuild, regain their footing and strengthen their ability to withstand future challenges.”
