(BIVN) – Disaster assistance services, available to residents impacted by the May 22 earthquake in South Kona, are being expanded.
The County of Hawaiʻi says it is coordinating with partners to expanded services at Community Resource Centers (CRCs), where residents can apply for federal assistance, case management, and receive other help as they navigate the recovery process.
This is a result of the recently approved Presidential Disaster Declaration for the May 22 earthquake. From the County of Hawaiʻi:
The approval of a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the earthquake opened the door to applications for financial assistance from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for property damage that was not covered by insurance or otherwise reimbursed.
Effective Sept. 14, Vibrant Hawaiʻi, FEMA and SBA will have representatives available in South Kona from Monday through Friday to answer questions and assist with applications for earthquake aid.
The CRC will operate until further notice:
- Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Yano Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook
- Friday from noon-4 p.m. at the Kealakekua branch of the Hawaii State Public Library System, 81-6619 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua
The first “pop-up” event was held on Saturday, September 12, at Hauʻoli Ka Manaʻo Church. Future locations will be announced each Thursday.
In addition, representatives of FEMA and SBA will be available Monday-Saturday starting Sept. 14 at the CRC in North Kona, located at Hanama Place (behind Big Island Grill), 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 101, Kailua Kona. Hours until further notice are:
- Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“Additional assistance may be added to the CRCs as it becomes available,” the County says. “FEMA Individual Assistance may cover temporary housing assistance, repairs, personal property and other expenses related to the earthquake that were not covered by insurance or other assistance.”
The County notes that you can apply for FEMA and SBA assistance from home.
To apply for FEMA aid, you may:
- Complete an online application at disasterassistance.gov.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, available daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. HST.
- Apply in person at a CRC.
SBA offers low-interest disaster assistance loans for property damage to qualified property owners and renters, with terms of as much as 30 years to repay and no payments due for the first year. Businesses may also qualify for assistance if they sustained economic injury.
To apply:
- Complete an application online at lending.sba.gov
- Call the toll free number at (800) 659-2955
- Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
- Apply in person at an CRC.
