Disaster Recovery

Disaster Recovery Resources

This page contains selected Internet links on business and personal disaster preparedness and recovery. It is not intended to be complete or authoritative guidance on any of these topics, merely a starting place for individuals and small businesses in the state of Hawaiʻi to begin their information search. Please rely on your local, state, or Federal officials for official guidance, instructions, and direction, and contact them with any questions that you might have.

Recovery and Resilience

A Special Message from Joe Burns, Interim State Director, and the Statewide HISBDC Team

Our hearts and condolences extend to our Maui community. We mourn the tragic loss of life and businesses in the aftermath of the devastating events on Maui.

Hawaii Island was also affected by wildfire. Thankfully, there were no fatalities and the damage in Waikoloa was not as devastating.

The entire HISBDC team stands ready to support the affected small businesses in providing the appropriate guidance and assistance in concert with the SBA, FEMA, other federal agencies, as well as with state and county offices.

The grassroots swell of support to Maui is best expressed by the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement/Maui:

ʻAʻOHE HANA NUI KE ALU ʻIA.
No task is too big when done together by all.

 

Recovery Resources and Donations

 

FEMA

FEMA and its federal partners are on the ground on Maui to assist survivors as they begin their long-term recovery plan. If you have been impacted by the Hawaii wildfires, there are resources available to help jumpstart your recovery:

• Residents of Maui County who have been affected by this tragedy should file a claim with their insurance carrier before registering for FEMA assistance. FEMA assistance is to cover relief/recovery that their insurance does not cover.

• Survivors with internet or telephone access can register for assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1- 800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

• For detailed updates about FEMA’s ongoing response and recovery efforts in Hawaii, as well as available resources, please visit FEMA.gov | Hawaii Wildfires.

• To learn how to stay safe during and after wildfires, including tips on safe debris clean-up, visit Wildfires | Ready.gov.

FEMA.gov | Hawaii Wildfires (available in multiple languages)

DisasterAssistance.gov

Ready.gov: Recovering from Disaster, Wildfires, Helping Children Cope

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has business disaster loans for Maui small businesses and nonprofits to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, other business assets, and to prepare for future disasters.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available for small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture enterprises, and most nonprofits in the Maui and Kalawao counties. EIDL funding can be used for working capital needs through the recovery period.

DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR MAUI DISASTER LOANS:
Physical Damage: October 10, 2023
Economic Injury: May 10, 2024

Click on these links to download more information on loan eligibility, required documents, and instructions.

• FACT SHEET – SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS

• Three Step Process for Disaster Loans

Check with your insurance agent before applying. SBA Disaster Recovery assistance is to cover relief/recovery beyond the applicant’s financial resources (what insurance does not cover).

WAYS TO APPLY FOR SBA DISASTER LOANS

• Apply online using SBA’s secure website at Hawaii wildfires | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov)

• Apply in person at the SBA Business Disaster Recovery Center in Kihei and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative.

SBA Business Recovery Center in Kihei, Maui
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
Maui Research Technology Center
Building # A, Ste. 119 (Conference Room)
590 Lipoa Pkwy., Kihei, HI 96753

In Person Center Hours: Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Hawaii time)
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Hawaii time)

SBA Disaster Customer Service Contact Information

If you have questions about your application, you may contact your assigned case manager, call SBA Disaster Customer Service at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The Customer Service Center is located in Texas and will be available 7-days a week from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hawaii time)

Donations for Maui

Beware of fraud and scams. After a disaster there are often scams and rumors that target survivors. Please use official local, state and federal sources for credible information. Survivors should never trust someone claiming to be a disaster assistance employee asking for money. Local and federal disaster assistance workers do not solicit or accept money.

If you are looking for ways to help, visit the following websites that are accepting donations. These organizations provide a variety of assistance to survivors. Cash donations are preferred because they offer voluntary agencies the flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources.

• American Red Cross – To make a financial contribution to Red Cross relief efforts in Maui visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767)

• hawaiiancouncil.org/maui – Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

• LIST: Help Maui Fire Victims: Here’s Where You Can Donate (civilbeat.org)

• Donate – Hawai`i VOAD (hawaiistatevoad.org)

 

 Disaster Resources

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Businesses seeking disaster recovery assistance are encouraged to contact FEMA to register their request – 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit fema.gov

The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals: fema.gov/disaster-assistance-available-fema

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

If you suffered any disaster related damage you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Individuals that are Homeowners and Renters must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain a FEMA Registration ID Number by calling 1-800-621-3362. The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.

 

Physical Disaster Business Loans

Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster damages to property owned by the business, including real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and supplies. Businesses of any size are eligible. Nonprofit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc. are also eligible.

 

Economic Injury Disaster Business Loans

Loans for working capital to small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives to assist them through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is available only to applicants with no Credit Available Elsewhere – if the business and its owners cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources:

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Emergency Loan Assistance to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. For information, visit fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=efl.

 

American Red Cross

Guidance for Business and Industry

 

Other Useful Preparedness Links

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