Storm recovery assistance is being expanded across Maui County, with state, county and federal agencies opening additional in-person support sites for residents and business owners affected by the March Kona Low storms. The expanded effort will bring recovery services to Kīhei, Hāna and Kaunakakai beginning May 11, giving storm-hit communities wider access to financial aid guidance, application support and case management as key deadlines draw closer.
The move is aimed at helping people who are still dealing with property damage, financial strain and recovery paperwork weeks after the severe weather event. Officials say the new outreach locations will be staffed by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Maui County recovery teams, allowing survivors to ask questions and complete applications in person.
Under the expanded plan, temporary recovery assistance will be available in Kaunakakai and Hāna on May 11 and May 12, while a separate center is also scheduled to open in Kīhei on May 11. These locations are being added on top of previously operating support sites in Kahului, Lahaina and South Maui, widening access for residents across multiple islands in Maui County.
Authorities are also promoting the Kona Low Disaster Case Management Program, which is designed to provide longer-term support for households facing complex recovery challenges. The program is expected to deploy up to 40 dedicated case managers to work directly with affected residents. Officials say the service is intended to help people navigate the recovery process, connect with available assistance and address needs that may not be resolved through a single agency.
For many storm survivors, the most immediate concern remains federal aid deadlines. Residents impacted by the storms have only a limited window left to apply for FEMA’s Serious Needs Assistance, while the deadline for broader FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA physical disaster loans comes later in June. SBA economic injury loan assistance will remain available for a longer period, offering additional relief for eligible businesses still coping with financial fallout.
At the in-person centers, applicants can receive help with FEMA Individual Assistance claims and SBA disaster loan applications. FEMA assistance may help cover basic needs not fully met by insurance or other support, while SBA loans can provide low-interest financing for homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofits recovering from storm damage.
Officials are encouraging anyone planning to apply in person to come prepared. Commonly requested documents include a government-issued photo ID, insurance details, proof of occupancy or ownership, information about household members, records of storm-related losses and, where possible, photos of the damage. Applicants may also be asked for banking information if they want any approved assistance sent by direct deposit.
The state’s recovery office has said the broader expansion is part of an effort to make disaster help more accessible to communities that may face transportation or logistical barriers in reaching existing centers. That is especially important for residents on Molokaʻi and in remote East Maui communities, where travel to central service hubs can be difficult.
The latest expansion signals that recovery from the March storms is still very much underway across Maui County. For residents and business owners still weighing whether to seek assistance, the message from officials is clear: do not wait until the final days. With more service sites opening and application deadlines approaching, the coming week could be a critical opportunity for affected families to secure help and move forward with recovery.
