In 2018, historic flooding on Kaua‘i, heavy rains on O‘ahu, wildfires on Maui, and a volcanic eruption on Hawai‘i Island threatened farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the islands.
Federal and state agencies provide disaster recovery assistance to businesses, primarily in the form of loans. In some cases, individuals and businesses are eligible for grants and other financial assistance that does not require re-payment.
USDA Farm Service Agency offers a variety of programs and services to help communities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses that suffer damages due to natural disasters such as noninsured crop disaster assistance program and livestock indemnity program.
U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible businesses and nonprofits located a declared disaster area that suffer substantial economic injury.
Federal Emergency Management Agency provides emergency financial assistance to individuals recovering from federally declared disasters. If you have experienced losses from a recent disaster, visit disasterassistance.gov to research potential assistance that may be available to you.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) provides low-interest emergency loans to farmers and ranchers to recover from natural disasters and other market disruptions. The Board of Agriculture must activate the program in response to a specific emergency.
»View risk management resources from HDOA
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs provides one-time grants to individuals, families, and/or businesses impacted by a natural disaster. These awards are made on a case-by-case basis and in response to a specific emergency.
Kiva microloan and Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund offers zero-percent interest microloans farmers and ranchers can use as working capital to recover.