Hawaii County launched a recovery grant program late last month for businesses impacted by back-to-back Kona low storms that hammered the island in March, just as a similar federal aid effort formed to help storm victims is wrapping up.

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Hawaii County launched a recovery grant program late last month for businesses impacted by back-to-back Kona low storms that hammered the island in March, just as a similar federal aid effort formed to help storm victims is wrapping up.

The Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program was announced by Mayor Kimo Alameda in a June 26 press release, offering companies recovery funds from a total pot of $475,000.

According to the release, the money can be used for “eligible storm-related recovery needs” including repairing and replacing equipment, fixing water damage, replacing lost inventory, covering temporary relocation costs like rent, utilities and transportation, and paying cleanup bills.

Awarded amounts are based on the applicant’s gross annual revenue as stated on their most recent tax returns, with $5,000 grants going to businesses with annual revenues of $250,000 or less, and $10,000 grants for those with revenues greater than $250,000 and up to $5,000,000.

To be eligible, nonagricultural companies must have 500 or fewer employees, demonstrate unmet storm-related needs like physical damage or service interruption, maintain a physical location within the county, and be operating there prior to March 13.

Applicants are required to identify a documented eligible use of the money and include all required materials for their applications to be considered complete. The deadline for this new assistance program is Aug. 31.

Although administered by the county’s Department of Research and Development, funds are provided by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

County spokesman Tom Callis told the Tribune-Herald last week that the department had received 13 pending applications, with an additional two completed and submitted.

Impacted farm operations have their own dedicated relief program — the Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund — which is jointly managed by the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau offering grants between $2,500 and $10,000 depending on the severity of documented damage. The deadline to apply for these funds is July 31.

Fed recovery programs
wrap up

The county’s Business Recovery Grant Program seems to have been unveiled just in time, as a crucial federally run initiative elapsed less than two weeks before its launch.

More than 1,000 Big Island households that weathered severe flooding, over 100 mph winds and extended power outages from fallen trees and sheared-off utility poles during the storms’ onslaught between March 10 and March 24 applied to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program for relief.

According to FEMA officials, the program has awarded almost $5 million in assistance funds so far.

Money can be used for everything from paying security deposits, rent and utility fees for temporary housing, repairing home damage, hiring deep cleaning services, and more.

However, this program’s application deadline passed on June 14, and now only late applications are being accepted.

To be eligible for this “grace period,” applicants must provide a valid reason for missing the initial window, such as serious illness or hospitalization, extended displacement or lacking reliable communication access.

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FEMA does not require supporting documents verifying these circumstances, but simply asks applicants to explain verbally or in writing their reason for the delay via phone call or online account.

While the sunsetting FEMA program provides grants that don’t require repayment, the U.S. Small Business Administration rolled out its own storm relief effort offering low-interest loans to assist homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits with repairing structural damage or replacing lost personal property.

These loans came with a $500,000 cap for home repairs and a $100,000 cap for replacement of furniture, appliances, vehicles and more. Business loans helping with physical and economic damages were capped at $2 million.

The deadline for the SBA program’s physical damage loans was originally June 14 as well, but has been extended 60 days until Aug. 13. According to FEMA officials, the SBA has received just over 100 applications so far from Hawaii Island residents, totalling roughly $1.6 million in loans.

Late applications are still
encouraged

FEMA spokesperson Brady Penn said that since the Individual Assistance Program’s open application period ended, the agency hasn’t seen many late filings.

“We aren’t seeing a huge number of late applications,” Penn said. “I think a lot of people were able — over the first two months — to apply and get their application in, but it’s still an option. Those people who did apply before June 14, though, some of them are still working through the process, because, you know … (their) situation changes, people are updating their applications as they continue their recovery.”

He said the program’s deadline was extended to give those with “extenuating circumstances” a chance to still get help by reaching out by phone or online and explaining their situation.

“There’s a broad range,” he said about acceptable circumstances. “It could be if someone had medical issues that were going on and needed to undergo medical treatment. Even if they were cut off from their internet or, you know, electricity, anything like that …those are just a few examples, but I would say even if you think that you may not be eligible for late application, if you have legitimate damages from the Kona lows, it can’t hurt you to reach out and see if you’re eligible to still apply.”

For storm survivors who may have initially received other forms of assistance but are still experiencing hardship, he said it’s important they know they’re still eligible.

“Some people may have gotten rental assistance through their insurance or elsewhere initially and (found) somewhere else to stay,” he said. “But if their home is still unlivable and that insurance or other benefit runs out, they can come back to FEMA, update their application, and may be eligible for additional help.”

Just because the agency is no longer accepting regular applications doesn’t mean those with pending applications should give up, he said.

“People sometimes think, you know, the deadline has passed — does that mean wherever my application was it has stopped right there?” he said. “That’s not the case. People can continue to work through the process.

“For the large number of people that did apply in that initial application window, it is important that they continue to work through the process,” he added. “We want to make sure that people who applied — maybe they were approved for some assistance, but not for other assistance that they thought maybe they would be eligible for — can still follow up … they can still check the status of their application.”

To apply for the county-administered Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program, visit tinyurl.com/4mu49px4.

Applications must be submitted through the Department of Research and Development’s Grant Portal, and no hard-copy applications will be accepted. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31.

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Email Stefan Verbano at [email protected].