Hawaiian Council to Launch Application Process to Administer OHA’s $6.1 Million Emergency Assistance Program

The Hawaiian Council will begin administering the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ (OHA) $6.1 million Emergency Assistance Program to support Native Hawaiian beneficiaries impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

Starting Mon., Nov. 10, eligible applicants can visit HawaiianCouncil.org/oha-relief for full details and to access the online application portal. The site will feature two separate applications:

• Native Hawaiians who have lost or experienced reduced SNAP benefits, and
• Native Hawaiian federal civilian workers who have been furloughed or are experiencing pay interruptions due to the current federal shutdown.

Approved by the OHA Board of Trustees on Nov. 6, the emergency assistance program is designed to reach Native Hawaiian households who are most at risk and may not qualify for other state or federal assistance.

“We are grateful to OHA for entrusting us with this responsibility and are moving quickly to ensure kōkua reaches those who need it most — our kūpuna, working families, and federal workers facing hardship,” said Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council. “Our lāhui continues to face real hardship, and together we are demonstrating what it means to care for our people with compassion, accountability, and unity.”

One-Time Relief Amounts:

• Local grocery store gift cards up to $350 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, with no dependents, who receive SNAP benefits but are excluded from the state’s Hawai‘i Relief Program. (Foodland gift cards will be provided for residents on O‘ahu, Maui, and Kaua‘i; KTA gift cards for residents on Hawai‘i Island; and due to the remote locations, residents on Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i will receive a direct assistance check)
• Checks up to $1,200 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian federal civilian (nonmilitary) employees furloughed or not receiving pay during the shutdown who earn no more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

How to Apply:

Applications open Mon, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. HST, and will be accepted in the following ways:

• Online: Visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/oha-relief to apply.
• By phone: Call the Hawaiian Council at 808-596-8155 to fill out an application over the phone. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• In-person: Submit an application at 91-1270 Kinoiki Street in Kapolei during regular office hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. To schedule an after-hours appointment (5:30 p.m. -7 p.m.), contact the call center at 808-596-8155 for an appointment.

Required documents include:

• Proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry (e.g., OHA’s Hawaiian Registry Program card, birth certificate, etc.)
• Government-issued photo ID showing Hawai‘i residency
• Benefits verification letter for SNAP recipients
• Official letter or statement from your federal agency (e.g. furlough notice or leave and earning statement)

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with distribution expected to begin Nov. 11.

The OHA Board of Trustees approved the $6.1 million emergency assistance plan during its November 6 meeting in Hilo and announced its partnership with the Hawaiian Council to oversee the program’s implementation, including application intake, eligibility review, and benefit distribution statewide.