Get Help
Need help because Hurricane Lowell affected your job, income, housing, food, utilities, or business? The resources below can help Kauaʻi residents, businesses, and non-profits navigate immediate needs and recovery.
Please note that information can change. Disaster recovery programs, eligibility requirements, hours, and availability may change. Please contact the organization directly to confirm current information before applying or visiting.
Last updated: September 29, 2026
Not Sure Where to Start?
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Aloha United Way/ 211 can help connect you with available Hurricane Lowell recovery resources, including disaster case management, housing, financial assistance, supplies, and other support.
Phone: 211 (dial to be connected directly to Aloha United Way resources)
People can call 211 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. for assistance.Website: http://www.auw211.org
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The Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) coordinates voluntary organizations providing disaster response and recovery assistance. Submit an intake form to request storm recovery assistance such as clean up, muck-out, and supplies.
Intake Form: tinyurl.com/KauaiVOAD
Website: www.hawaiistatevoad.org/kauai-coad/
Food Assistance
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In partnership with the County of Kaua‘i, the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i serves as the island’s disaster feeding lead. Below are their weekly emergency food distribution sites.
Food Distribution Schedule
Tuesday, September. 29
Anahola Clubhouse
3900 Kawelo St., Anahola
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Emergency Food DistributionThursday, October 1
Westside Christian Center
8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha
10 a.m. to noon
Emergency Food Distribution‘Aina Ho‘okupy O Kilauea
4045 Kilauea Rd. Kilauea
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergency Food DistributionFriday, October 2
Hale Līhuʻe
4286 Rice Street, Līhuʻe
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergency Food DistributionHoly Cross Church
2-2370 Kaumualii Hwy, Kalaheo
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Pantry Distribution
For the most updated food distribution locations, please visit their website. -
The Kaua‘i Independent Foodbank has food programs for children, seniors, and families in need.
Phone: 808-278-6122; Available Monday- Friday from 9am to 3pm
Website: https://www.kauaifoodbank.org/
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On Sept. 10, 2026, the USDA approved the Hawaii Department of Human Services (HDHS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of SNAP benefits, as stated in the approval, due to power outages as a result of Hurricane Lowell that began on Sept. 7, 2026. The waiver approval applies to the island of Kaua‘i.
In-person support: DHS staff will be on site at the Koloa and Hanalei Hurricane Resource centers on Tuesday, 9/22, and Thursday, 9/24, to provide in-person support for SNAP benefits.
Lost Income & Employment
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In-Person Services Update: Unemployment assistance will not be available at the Kōloa Resource Center on Thursday, Sept. 24. In-person help returns next week:
Hanalei Resource Center: Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29
Kōloa Resource Center: Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1
If you've had trouble applying online, meet with DLIR staff in person.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance may become available following a qualifying federal disaster declaration for employees and self-employed individuals whose work is lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster.
Apply: labor.hawaii.gov/ui
Phone: 808-466-3634
Kauaʻi Office: 808-274-3043
Website: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/assistance-programs/disaster-unemployment-assistance-dua/ -
If your household income has decreased, you may now qualify for assistance even if you did not qualify previously.
In-person support: Staff from the Department of Human Services will be on site at the Koloa and Hanalei Hurricane Resource centers on Tuesday, 9/22, and Thursday, 9/24, to provide in-person support for SNAP benefits.
Phone: 855-643-1643
Apply and learn more: pais.dhs.hawaii.gov
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Gather Federal Credit Union (GFCU) Emergency Member Relief
Provide qualifying members with additional financial flexibility through emergency assistance loans, loan payment deferrals, and penalty-free share certificate withdrawals.
Learn more: https://www.gatherfcu.org/emergency-member-relief-program
Housing and Rent
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If you are facing eviction or a housing crisis, these organizations may be able to help:
Legal Aid – Landlord-Tenant Hotline: 800-499-4302
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Family Life Center, Kaua‘i
While they do not have additional funding to support hurricane victims, anyone from the houseless community can call and be screened for rental assistance and relevant services.
Phone: 808-212-0850
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Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO)– Electric Bill Assistance
Assistance may be available to eligible households struggling with electricity costs.
KEO provides a one-time utility payment of up to $700 directly to electric or gas companies to restore service or prevent termination for qualifying low-income households on Kauaʻi. They are also offering assistance of up to $300 in partnership with Catholic Charities and KEO.
Phone: 808-245-4077, ext. 242
Financial Assistance
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Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi has the Hawaii Relief Program provides eligible families with assistance on rent (up to $6,000), utilities, vehicle payments, and other expenses following an involuntary loss or reduction of income or a natural disaster.
Phone: 808-521-4357, Press 1, then 1
HOPE Line: 808-241-4673 -
The Hawai‘i Realtors’ Disaster Relief Assistance offers relief grants are available to Hawaiʻi homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Lowell. Grants of up to $1,000 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are due by November 4, 2026.
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Child & Family Services (CFS)
Concrete Support Program: Non-recurring, short-term financial assistance for eligible families with children.
Person-In-Needs Fund for Kupuna: Offers one-time maximum support of $500 for eligible persons 70 years old or older. (Due June 30, 2027)
Person-In-Needs Fund for Keiki: Offers one-time maximum support of $500 for eligible persons 18 years old or younger. (Due June 30, 2027)
Phone: (808) 935-2188
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is offering immediate disaster assistance for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
OHA Board Authorizes More Than $360,000 in Emergency Relief for Native Hawaiians Impacted by Hurricane Lowell - The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
Kauaʻi and Niʻihau - OHA Hurricane Lowell Recovery - Household Needs Intake Form
Small Business Recovery
If your business lost revenue, had to close, lost inventory or equipment, or is struggling with payroll, rent, or other expenses because of Hurricane Lowell, the following resources may help.
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Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is partnering with the State of Hawaii Department Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT) to distribute $2.25 million in grant funding made available by the State of Hawaii to support non-agriculture small businesses on Kauai that have been impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
Impacted businesses can receive $5,000 or $10,000 for disaster recovery.
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The Hawaii Small Business Development Center advisors can help small businesses with:
Evaluating losses
Cash flow
Financing options
Recovery planning
Small Business Administration (SBA) applications, when available
Kauaʻi Center Office: Open, but currently restricted to remote advising
Learn more: hisbdc.org -
Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber can provide local recovery information, business-impact information, assistance opportunities, and coordination as new programs become available.
Learn more: kauaichamber.org
Kauaʻi Economic Development Board (KEDB)
KEDB is another local resource for businesses navigating economic disruption, recovery, and available assistance programs.
Learn more: kedb.com
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Offered through the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, find federal tax-relief information and guidance for documenting losses, reconstructing records and addressing tax issues following a disaster.
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Kalukalu @ 1624, a project by Kauai Federal Credit Union, is an economic resilience center for Kaua‘i. Located at 4-1624 Kuhio Highway, they are offering power, internet, and workspace for businesses and community members needing a place to work during recovery.
Address: 4-1624 Kuhio Highway
Drop in Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4PM.
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Keep records of lost income and your inability to work because of Hurricane Lowell. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may become available following federal approval and may include some self-employed workers who do not qualify for regular unemployment. Document your business's impacts and expenses, including:
Business closures
Canceled reservations or orders
Lost revenue
Payroll losses or expenses
Inventory losses
Property damage
Repair costs
Photographs
Insurance claims
Receipts
Commercial Farm & Ranch Recovery
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The USDA has approved the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Lowell that occurred September 6, 2026 through September 9, 2026. ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions following a qualifying natural disaster. ECP signup is open now and ends on November 13, 2026.
Document your damage and connect with Calvin Threat for support. Access the form here.
Calvin Threat
County Executive Director, Kauaʻi County Farm Service Agency4334 Rice Street, Suite 103 Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
p: (808) 975-9532
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Hawaii Agriculture Disaster Response Tool to report disaster impacts, view statewide data, and find recovery and relief programs for Hawaii agricultural producers.
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Kauai farm and ranch damage reporting and mini grant intake.
Website: www.Tinyurl.com/FarmReporting
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Agricultural flood loss assessment tool to estimate flood-related crop and farm losses for insurance, disaster assistance, grant documentation, or your own records.
Website: https://gofarmhawaii.org/gofarm-hawaii-flood-loss-assessment-tool/
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If you have a current or recently completed NRCS contract, please contact their local office to discuss program options for potential restoration of damaged installations.
Jenna Dunn, District Conservationist
Kauaʻi County Natural Resources Conservation Service
4334 Rice Street, Suite 103 Lihue, Hawaii, 96766Phone: (808) 346-2477
Email: Jenna.Dunn@usda.gov
Non-Profit Organizations
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Offers funding for nonprofit organizations leading disaster response, recovery, and resilience efforts across Hawaiʻi. Through a single application, organizations can be considered by multiple participating funders within the Hawaiʻi Resilience and Recovery Funder Collaborative, including Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
Website: https://portal.justfund.us/p/rfps/51a042b6-c494-48ff-8734-2f51e6dad31b
Federal Disaster Assistance (Still Pending)
Federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Lowell is still pending. FEMA Individual Assistance, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and SBA disaster assistance have been requested for Kauaʻi but are not yet available pending federal approval.
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Even if federal assistance has not yet been approved, save documentation of your losses and expenses now.
Keep:
Proof of lost wages or reduced hours
Employer closure or layoff notices
Rent and utility bills
Receipts for disaster-related expenses
Photos of damage
Insurance information
Other documentation showing losses or expenses related to Hurricane Lowell
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The State has requested SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for Kauaʻi.
If approved, EIDL may provide working capital for eligible small businesses experiencing disaster-related financial impacts, including expenses such as:
Payroll
Rent
Utilities
Fixed debts
SBA Physical Disaster Loans may also help eligible businesses repair or replace damaged property, equipment, and inventory.
SBA Disaster Assistance: 800-659-2955
Learn more: sba.gov/disaster
Give Help
We know many people want to help, but not all assistance sites have the capacity to sort physical donations, and unneeded goods can end up going to waste. Financial contributions are generally the most effective way to support recovery.
Here are a few meaningful ways you can help:
Financial Donations
Financial donations to trusted non-profit partners are the most effective way to support relief efforts, as they allow organizations to quickly respond to specific and changing needs.
Other trusted non-profit and community partners supporting relief efforts
Where to Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering, consider reaching out to established service providers with strong community networks, such as:
Kaua‘i Disaster Recovery Volunteer Sign-Up: Managed by Malama Kaua‘i and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
Other trusted non-profit and community partners supporting relief efforts
For those who want to support Kaua‘i’s recovery and community needs in additional ways, please complete this donation form, and our staff will follow up to help coordinate your contribution.