Share this story

91直播 County has announced that additional types of help are available at assistance centers for residents who experienced damage caused by the March Kona low storms.

In addition to representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency — who can help with reimbursement for residential damage expenses through the Individual Assistance program — the sites at Kea‘au and Kealakekua also will host:

ADVERTISING

• U.S. Small Business Administration officials, who can assist with low-interest loans for storm damages to businesses, homeowners and renters.

• Vibrant 91直播 representatives, who can connect residents to assistance with other needs.

The county also has arranged for an assistance center to open in Na‘alehu effective May 26 through June 12 to offer similar services.

The deadline to apply for most federal disaster assistance programs for the Kona low storms is June 14.

The assistance centers (including Na‘alehu) are listed below and may be adjusted based on demand for services. All sites will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day and June 11 for King Kamehameha Day.

Each site is generally open during regular business hours, but they vary by location.

• 91直播 State Public Library System, 81-6619 91直播 Belt Rd, Kealakekua. Open now through June 12.

• Kea‘au Armory, Herbert Shipman Park 16-512 Volcano Road, Kea‘au. Open now through Friday, May 22

• Na‘alehu Public Library, 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Na‘alehu. Open Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, June 12.

The assistance centers are operating in addition to the current disaster assistance that residents can apply for, such as agricultural assistance, social services and nonprofit organization support.

For more information on resources available for storm recovery visit the 91直播 County Civil Defense Agency website at 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 at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 daily from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. HST.

For SBA assistance (residents and businesses): Physical Damage Loan application deadline is June 14. Economic Injury Loan application deadline is Jan. 7, 2027. Apply online at tinyurl.com/2uxnepu2, call (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Residents also can visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at 1055 Kino‘ole 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.