(BIVN) – President Donald Trump has approved a request for major disaster declaration following the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the Kona region of Hawaiʻi on May 22, 2026.
Governor Josh Green, who made the federal request, announced the declaration on Thursday, saying that federal Individual Assistance will now be available to eligible Hawaiʻi County residents who sustained earthquake-related damage or losses.
The declaration was designated FEMA-4936-DR.
According to an emergency proclamation made by Mayor Kimo Alameda shortly after the earthquake happened, the County received “approximately two hundred seven (207) damage reports concentrated in the Districts of Kaʻū, North Kona, and South Kona, including substantial damage to residential structures and to residential, commercial, and agricultural water catchment systems upon which residents and businesses in these districts rely for potable and non-potable water.” The proclamation added that “the loss of water catchment capacity may create an immediate need to obtain, transport, and stage temporary water distribution for residents and businesses whose private water systems were damaged by the earthquake, and existing County resources and normal government processes may not sufficiently address this need in the time required to protect public health, safety, and welfare”.
The USGS reported the destructive earthquake was a “lithospheric flexure earthquake”, known to occur within the upper lithospheric mantle within the Pacific Plate. These earthquakes are not directly related to volcanic activity.
“Mahalo to President Trump and our federal partners for approving this critical assistance,” said Governor Green in a news release. “Many families are still dealing with significant damage to their homes, water-catchment systems and property. This declaration will provide resources to help our residents recover and rebuild.”
Depending on individual circumstances, FEMA assistance may include:
- Temporary housing assistance for homeowners and renters who cannot remain in their homes because of earthquake damage.
- Basic repairs needed to make a primary residence safe, sanitary and functional.
- Repair or replacement of damaged components of residential water-catchment systems.
- Assistance with essential disaster-related expenses, including personal property, transportation and certain medical, dental or child care costs.
“This declaration opens the door to critical federal assistance for Hawaiʻi County residents whose homes and essential systems were damaged by the May 22 earthquake,” said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Lopez. “We are working closely with FEMA, Hawaiʻi County and community partners to help survivors understand their options and apply for support. We encourage residents to document their losses, contact their insurance providers and apply before the Nov. 1 deadline, even if they are unsure whether they qualify.”
From the State of Hawaiʻi:
Residents with homeowners or renters insurance should file a claim with their insurance providers as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate assistance for losses covered by insurance, but residents may qualify for assistance with eligible expenses not fully covered by their policies.
Applications for FEMA assistance are free and may be submitted:
– Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
– Through the FEMA mobile app.
– By calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Operators are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST. Translation and interpretation services are available.
Applicants should be prepared to provide photographs or videos of earthquake damage and retain receipts and other documents related to repairs and disaster expenses.
Homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations may also qualify for long-term, low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applications may be submitted through the MySBA Loan Portal. For assistance, call 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The state and Hawaiʻi County will open Local Recovery Centers where residents can receive in-person assistance from FEMA and SBA representatives. Dates, hours and locations will be posted at ready.hawaii.gov.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance related to the Kona earthquake is Nov. 1, 2026.
This declaration applies specifically to the May 22 earthquake and is separate from federal and state response and recovery efforts related to Tropical Cyclone Lala.
