Kaʻū Resiliency Program Offers Financial Aid and Generators
“Our Kaʻū ʻohana have endured extraordinary challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Lālā, and we recognize that recovery doesn’t end when the storm passes or the roads reopen,” Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chairperson and Hawaiʻi Island Trustee Kaialiʻi Kahele said in a news release. The agency is launching the Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program to provide eligible Native Hawaiian households in Kaʻū with a choice of a $750 household recovery stipend or a Firman tri-fuel generator valued at approximately $840, oha.org reported. Both homeowners and renters whose primary residences sustained storm damage qualify to apply.
Stipend Versus Backup Power Choices for Storm Survivors
Eligible households may select only one form of assistance from the two options offered by the program. The $750 direct financial payment is intended for immediate recovery expenses, including repairs and the replacement of essential supplies, according to Big Island Video News. Alternatively, approved applicants can choose a generator voucher valued at around $840. Once approved, recipients receive pickup instructions for the generator at Costco on Hawaiʻi Island.
Application Requirements and Documentation Details
Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify for the assistance. According to oha.org, required documentation includes a Hawaiian Registry Program (HRP) number, a damage report detailing storm impacts to the primary residence, proof of occupancy, a completed W-9 form, and a government-issued identification. Applications are open on the OHA Disaster Resources webpage, though awards remain limited by available program funding.
Emergency Helicopter Operations Preceded the New Aid
The resiliency initiative expands on OHA’s initial emergency response following Hurricane Lālā. During that period, the agency funded helicopter operations that transported roughly 1,500 pounds of food, drinking water, fuel, and hygiene products to four isolated Kaʻū communities, Big Island Video News reported. While the initial flights supplied urgent survival necessities, the current phase targets long-term household recovery and preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program
Who is eligible to apply for the Kōkua Kaʻū Resiliency Program?
Applicants must be of Native Hawaiian descent, maintain a primary residence in Kaʻū that sustained damage from Hurricane Lālā, and provide verifiable documentation including an HRP number and proof of occupancy, oha.org reported.
Can an eligible household receive both the financial stipend and the generator?
No, each eligible household may receive only one award, choosing either the $750 financial stipend or the generator valued at approximately $840, according to Big Island Video News.
Where can applicants pick up their approved generators?
Once approved, recipients receive instructions to pick up their Firman tri-fuel generators directly from Costco on Hawaiʻi Island, oha.org reported.
“Recovery takes time, and we remain committed to helping our Kaʻū ʻohana rebuild, regain their footing and strengthen their ability to withstand future challenges,” Kahele said.