Vibrant Hawaiʻi Launches Online Form to Connect Storm Victims With Aid

Vibrant Hawaiʻi has opened an online Request for Assistance form for Big Island residents still struggling with damage from the recent Kona low storm, giving households a single place to report needs and get connected with a coalition of nonprofit, business, and government partners coordinating recovery resources across Hawaiʻi Island.

The form, available at bit.ly/vh-rfa, asks residents to describe what type of assistance they need. Submissions feed directly into a coordination network that Vibrant Hawaiʻi is running alongside the County of Hawaiʻi to help partners, service providers, and response agencies understand where help is most urgently needed. As the form itself states: "This form is to assist a coalition of nonprofit, business, and government agencies that may be able to provide assistance. By completing this form, you agree to share your information with partners of Vibrant Hawaiʻi who may be able to assist, and you acknowledge and understand that assistance is not guaranteed."

That last point matters. The form includes an Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability that residents must accept before submitting. Vibrant Hawaiʻi does not guarantee the condition, safety, or outcome of any work performed or recommendations made. One category of need is explicitly off the table: the network cannot provide roof repair and will only supply a list of contractors available for hire at the resident's own expense. Residents who need non-urgent medical assistance can indicate that on the form; anyone in an emergency should call 9-1-1.

The County of Hawaiʻi posted its own call for damage reports on March 17, framing the data collection as essential groundwork for any potential state or federal disaster assistance. Mayor Kimo Alameda acknowledged the competing demands residents are already facing. "We realize many residents still face challenges from the storm and may be focused on cleaning up, but damage reports can help the County target help where it's needed most," Alameda said.

Residents and businesses can file separate residential and commercial damage reports with the County at Bit.ly/CDDisasterRecovery, or call Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense directly at (808) 935-0031. Farmers and ranchers with agricultural losses should contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at (808) 933-8334.

Community organizations that want to join the recovery effort rather than request help from it can reach Vibrant Hawaiʻi at contact@vibranthawaii.org. Donations to support recovery can be made at vibranthawaii.org/donation, with additional updates posted at vibranthawaii.org. The two reporting channels, Vibrant Hawaiʻi's RFA and the County's damage-reporting system, are designed to work in parallel, not as substitutes for each other, and residents with significant losses may benefit from submitting to both.