Through I Ola: Kona Low Disaster Relief, the Mahiʻai Microfund, the Mālama Honua Disaster Fund and the ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua Gift Card Program, more than $1.5 million has already been distributed or approved for distribution to help Native Hawaiian families recover, rebuild and strengthen their resilience following the March storms.
“Recovery does not end when the storm passes or the immediate emergency is over,” said OHA Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “For many of our beneficiaries, rebuilding their homes, farms and livelihoods takes months. OHA made a commitment to stand with our lāhui through that recovery, and these programs demonstrate that we are continuing to put resources directly into the hands of the people who need them.”
I Ola: Kona Low Disaster Relief
Through I Ola, 130 beneficiaries have been approved for assistance, with $1.098 million disbursed statewide.
OHA’s partner, Hawaiian Council, continues to review remaining beneficiary applications already in the pipeline and issue payments as awards are approved. The program is no longer accepting new applications.
Mahiʻai Microfund
The Mahiʻai Microfund remains in active beneficiary disbursement in partnership with Hawaiian Council, providing assistance to Native Hawaiian farmers and agricultural producers while supporting food security, economic resilience and mālama ʻāina.
As of August 19, $101,000 had been disbursed to 21 beneficiaries, with another $89,000 in approved awards pending disbursement.
Award determinations from the finalized applicant pool are substantially complete, with five non-Kona low awards remaining as the existing queue continues to be processed. No additional applications are being accepted.
Mālama Honua Disaster Fund
The Mālama Honua Disaster Fund continues active beneficiary review and award processing.
OHA has received 74 applications statewide, with 33 applications under review and another 14 in the final stages of processing. Six applications have been approved for assistance, and $60,000 has been distributed through the program’s first three grant awards.
Additional awards will be distributed as applications complete final approval and payment processing.
ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua Gift Card Program
The ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua Gift Card Program has advanced into beneficiary distribution and closeout, with 190 Home Depot gift card awards totaling $380,000.
Award and denial notices have been issued to all applicants, and approved beneficiaries are expected to receive their distributions by the end of August.
The 190 approved awards include 97 beneficiaries on Oʻahu, 29 on Hawaiʻi Island, 31 on Maui and 33 on Molokaʻi.
OHA is also extending the impact of the program’s remaining resources. The $30,407 remaining in program funds was approved for redeployment to Kōkua Kaʻū during the OHA Board of Trustees’ August 17 emergency meeting as part of OHA’s response to Hurricane Lala.
“These numbers represent much more than dollars distributed,” said OHA Interim Administrator Summer Sylva. “They represent families repairing their homes, farmers rebuilding their operations and beneficiaries receiving help at a time when they need it most. Our staff and partners continue working through the remaining applications and awards so that the resources approved by our Board reach our beneficiaries as quickly and responsibly as possible.”
OHA’s Kona low response was designed to address both immediate needs and longer-term recovery, recognizing that the impacts of a major disaster can continue long after the initial emergency has passed.
For more information about OHA programs and services, visit www.oha.org
