Star-Advertiser reports statewide relief efforts continue as communities recover from Kona-low storms

A statewide interim Disaster Case Management Program is now connecting Kona-low storm survivors with trained specialists for housing referrals, benefit access and individualized recovery planning, with Kauai among the next counties to receive services in the coming weeks.

Governor Josh Green and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency launched the program April 3, selecting Global Empowerment Mission to lead it with support from Aloha United Way 211, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Aloha House and Our Kupuna. Up to 40 case managers will operate statewide under a 90-day mandate, funded through a partnership between the state, the counties and the Hawaii Community Foundation. The initial rollout covers Oahu and Maui County; services for Kauai and Hawaii Island are expected to follow shortly. Survivors can enroll by calling 211, which also connects callers to more than 4,000 local resources covering housing, food, clothing, transportation and emergency power charging.

Kauai escaped the catastrophic flooding that has driven statewide recovery costs to at least $1 billion. County officials confirmed storm-related damage of $745,665, with the most significant single item being the Department of Public Works Auto Shop. Despite the comparatively limited local toll, county personnel have been deployed to Maui to assist with preliminary damage assessments and field operations, a reflection of the mutual-aid ethic that defines how Hawaii's counties respond to island-wide disasters.

"This is what we do as island communities," Mayor Derek Kawakami said. "When one of us is hurting, we step up to help. I am proud of our county employees who answered the call and are assisting Maui's recovery efforts."

Two Kona-low systems struck the state in March: the first from March 10-16, the second March 19-20. The consecutive events prompted Green to submit a presidential disaster declaration request, which remains under federal review as joint preliminary damage assessments with FEMA continue across all counties.

Agricultural operations hit by the storms can apply for one-time $1,500 emergency grants through the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's Emergency Farmer Relief Program, which carries a $500,000 total fund. A separate emergency loan program offers up to $100,000 per applicant at a 3% interest rate.

"We are doing everything we can at the state and county level," Green said, "but this is exactly the type of event where FEMA support is critical."

Whether expanded FEMA programs, including individual assistance and public assistance for debris removal and infrastructure repair, become available will hinge on those ongoing joint assessments. Kauai residents who suffered storm-related losses and have not yet filed a damage report with the Kauai Emergency Management Agency are asked to do so; those submissions directly inform the statewide tallies supporting Hawaii's federal aid request.