OHA approves $362K in Hurricane Lowell relief for Native Hawaiians

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is making emergency aid available to Native Hawaiian families and communities impacted by Hurricane Lowell.

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OHA’s Board of Trustees authorized up to $362,800 in disaster assistance during an emergency meeting Wednesday, with a focus on Kauaʻi, Niihau and West Oahu.

The relief package includes up to $250,000 in direct disaster aid grants for verified Native Hawaiian households, up to $75,000 for community resource hubs and $37,800 in unused Times gift cards.

“Hurricane Lowell has caused tremendous damage and disruption, and many of our beneficiaries are dealing with the loss of property, interrupted utilities, damaged roads and the uncertainty that comes with a disaster of this magnitude,” OHA Board Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele said.

The board also gave OHA administrators flexibility to streamline application and verification requirements to help get assistance out more quickly as damage assessments continue.

Priority will be given to beneficiaries and communities experiencing the most immediate and substantial impacts.

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OHA said the assistance may be used alongside county, state, federal, insurance and charitable relief, with safeguards in place to avoid duplicate assistance for the same need.

About 17,000 Native Hawaiians live in Kauaʻi County, representing roughly 23% of the county’s population, according to OHA.

“This is an initial response to an evolving emergency,” Kahele said. “We know the needs will become clearer in the days ahead.”

OHA said information on eligibility, applications and community resource hubs will be announced once implementation details are finalized at www.oha.org.

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