Following last month’s catastrophic back-to-back Kona Low storms, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees has approved the activation of some $3.96 million in disaster aid to support Native Hawaiian households and communities impacted by devastating floods and storm damage across the pae ʻāina.
“OHA is committed to standing with our lāhui in times of crisis,” said Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “The storm damage and flooding have caused significant hardship for many families across our islands. By activating these resources quickly and strategically, we are ensuring that our communities have access to immediate relief, recovery support, and pathways to rebuild with dignity and resilience.
“This action mobilizes OHA’s disaster aid framework to deliver immediate relief and targeted support to those most affected across the pae ʻāina.”
The Board approved the funding in an emergency meeting on March 25. It will be distributed through a combination of emergency assistance, direct grants, and home repair support:
- Redirecting I Ola Emergency Aid (up to $3.3 million): Through a contract amendment with Hawaiian Council, OHA will reallocate existing funds to provide:
- Up to $2.9 million to support confirmed Native Hawaiian households in impacted areas
- Up to $100,000 to support community resource hubs statewide
- Up to $300,000 in assistance for federal civilian workers affected by the Department of Homeland Security shutdown (e.g., TSA Agents)
For more information go to: oha.org
HC and HCF Accepting Donations for Flood Relief
The severe weather events that began in mid-March and resulted in catastrophic flooding across the pae ʻāina – and particularly on Oʻahu – affected thousands of Hawaiʻi residents. Early estimates indicated that damages could exceed $1 billion.
For those wanting to support ʻohana impacted by the floods, safe, tax-deductible donations can be made to both the Hawaiian Council and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
The Hawaiian Council announced a donation campaign, Kākoʻo Oʻahu, to address evolving needs for affected communities, including housing stability services, direct financial assistance and other critical support. To maximize community impact, the Hawaiian Council will match every donation, dollar-for-dollar, up to $200,000. All donations will directly support impacted individuals and families, with a portion allocated to cover operational costs required to deliver services effectively and at scale.
Individuals and organizations in supporting Kākoʻo Oʻahu can donate online at hawaiiancouncil.org, or mail checks to the Hawaiian Council at: 91-1270 Kinoiki St., Bldg 1, Kapolei, HI 96707. Write “Kākoʻo Oʻahu” on the check memo.
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation maintains ongoing “strong funds” to build community resiliency through disaster preparedness, rapid relief, response and recovery. The organization has six existing strong funds: Stronger Hawaiʻi (for statewide support); Hawaiʻi Island Strong Fund; Kauaʻi Strong Fund; Maui County Strong Fund; Maui Strong Fund (for wildfire recovery); and Oʻahu Strong Fund. To donate to a county-specific strong fund, go to: hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/hawaii-strong.
Again, all donations to Hawaiian Council and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation are tax-deductible.
ʻOhana wanting to kōkua in the wake of the flooding should be wary about contributing to non-accredited organizations or funds. While disasters bring out the best in most people, there are, unfortunately, some who will try to profit from such events.
 Board of Trustees has approved the activation of some $3.96 million in disaster aid to support Native Hawaiian households and communities impacted by devastating floods and storm damage across the pae ʻāina.){kind=link}