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March 2026 Kona Low Storms

March 16, 2026
Categories: 
Disasters, Main

Preliminary Information on Temporary Shelter

County Recovery Websites:

Oʻahu

Click here for recovery resources managed by the City and County of Honolulu.

Maui Nui

Click here for recovery resources managed by the County of Maui.

Hawaiʻi Island

Click here for recovery resources managed by the County of Hawaiʻi.


Statewide Recovery Resources

Call 2-1-1 or visit www.auw211.org for resources like housing, food, clothing, supplies, transportation, power charging, and more. This service, provided by Aloha United Way, connects people with over 4,000 local resources. The 2-1-1 helpline is available statewide.

Disaster Recovery Case Management Program

Residents impacted by Kona Low storms can call 2-1-1 to enroll in a Disaster Case Management Program offered by the State of Hawaiʻi. Specially trained case managers are available to facilitate disaster recovery plans for residents to address needs from natural disaster impacts.

The program is free of charge and is led by Global Empowerment Mission in coordination with community-based organizations to deliver services including housing support, financial assistance, critical resources, and damage assessments.

This program is currently available to residents of Oʻahu and all of Maui County, with offerings for Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi Counties commencing soon.

Learn more about the Disaster Case Management Program and call 2-1-1 to get enrolled today!

Read the full press release about the program launch here.


FEMA’s Guide to Navigating Disaster Assistance

Residents of Maui, Hawaiʻi, and Honolulu Counties Impacted by the March Kona Low Can Apply for FEMA Assistance. Review this helpful guide and register for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. To learn more about FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program, click here.


Public Health and Safety Information

Click here for the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Kona Low Storms Website. This page includes information on floodwater health hazards, cleanup safety, mold, personal protective equipment (PPE), disease risks and prevention, mosquito control, mental health after a disaster, and many additional resources.


State of Hawaiʻi: Click here for Brown Water Advisories and Wastewater Discharge Notices. Maintained by State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch.


Road Closures and Travel Disruptions

Click here to access an interactive map of current highway roadwork and lane closures, or tap the map image. This statewide map is maintained by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.

Click for a list of weather-related travel disruptions, including highways, airports and harbors. Maintained by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.


Damage Assessments

Kauaʻi

Managed by Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency:

Oʻahu

Managed by Oʻahu Department of Emergency Management:

Maui

Managed by Maui Emergency Management Agency:

Big Island

Managed by Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency:


Homeowner and Renter Assistance

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidance

Homeowners and renters who have been impacted by storm damage should remember these key points, regardless of emergency declaration status:

  • File an Insurance Claim even if a disaster is not declared. Homeowners or flood insurance is the primary source of funding for repairs.
  • Contact FEMA even if a major disaster has not been declared, as households may still qualify for some forms of aid.
  • HUD Disaster Line: 1-800-304-9320
  • HUD-Approved Housing Counselors: 1-800-569-4287 or search online at https://answers.hud.gov/housingcounseling.
  • File a Fair Housing Complaint if the household experiences housing discrimination after a disaster: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability need, call 1-800-669-9777.

Help with Insurance Claims

The State of Hawaiʻi’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division is offering help with filing insurance claims for those whose homes or property were damaged during the Kona Low storms.

DCCA has produced a Post-Disaster Claims Guide to walk Hawaiʻi residents through the insurance process. Click here to read the PDF guide (or click the photo).

You may also call DCCA directly at 844-808-3222 for help by phone.

An instructional video is available by clicking here.

Read the full press release about storm insurance help by clicking here.

Farm Assistance

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to repair and restore farmland affected by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, drought, and other calamities. ECP helps farmers and ranchers implement emergency conservation measures to rehabilitate damaged land, restore agricultural production, and prevent further environmental degradation.

To learn more about the program, who is eligible, and how to apply, read the fact sheet to the right and go to USDA’s website by clicking here.

Source: fsa.usda.gov

USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance

Assistance for Small Businesses

SBA Business Recovery Center in Hilo

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Hawaii County to assist businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides occurring March 10 – 24.

Beginning Tuesday, April 21, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in Hilo to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome but in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

HAWAII COUNTY

Business Recovery Center
Hawaii County Office of Aging
1055 Kinoole St., Suite 101
Conference Room
Hilo, HI  96720

Opens Tuesday, April 21 at noon.
Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Cleanup Information

Health and Safety During Cleanup

Click here for Post-Flood Cleanup Health and Safety Guidance. Produced by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health.

Click here for After the Flood, produced by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health. This guide contains key information about the hazards of cleaning up a flooded home or building, tips for cleanup and helpful items to use.

Click here for the Muck & Gut Guide produced by SBP USA, which includes tips and health guidelines. Mucking and gutting is the first step in the rebuilding process. This phase of construction consists of removing damaged belongings from the home, removing damaged construction materials and prepping the home for mold treatment.

Oʻahu: Rebuilding Donations Program

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting has launched its Rebuild Donation Match Registry, a program that connects impacted residents with donated construction materials and rebuilding services.

Residents and business owners who were impacted by the Kona Low storms can submit a request describing their needs, including required repairs and specific materials or services.

Individuals and contractors can donate construction materials and services to be matched with residents in need.

To request rebuilding help or donate https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/rebuild-donation-match-registry/.


Hotel Information for Storm Evacuees

Kamaʻāina rates for evacuees based on availability. Call hotels to make reservations.

Properties that have provided discounted rates (starting from $99, plus applicable taxes):

ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach 808-922-1233
Ambassador Hotel Waikiki, A Tapestry Collection by Hilton 808-941-7777
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort 808-949-4321 
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 808-923-1234 
Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa 808-922-3111 
Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel 1-800-688-7444 
Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel 1-800-688-7444 
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort 1-800-688-7444 
The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort 808-923-7311 
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikiki Beach 808-922-5811 
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort 808-922-4422 
Twin Fin Hotel 808-922-2511 
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 808-922-6611

Donate to Kona Low Relief Efforts

Click here to make financial donations to Kona Low relief efforts through local Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Stronger Hawaiʻi organizations.

Volunteer with Red Cross Hawaiʻi

Click here to get involved with Red Cross Hawaiʻi’s Kona Storm relief efforts on the ground in Hawaiʻi.

See Needs on the Mālama Map

Click here for volunteer opportunities and donation needs through verified local organizations.


Watch: HIEMA Administrator James Barros gives Kona Low recovery update on KHON2

HIEMA Administrator James Barros visited KHON2 on Tuesday, March 31, to share information on damage assessments from Kona Low storms, Hawaiʻi’s federal disaster application, the importance of community strength and Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi. Click here to watch.

Severe Weather Press conference March 20, 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDCFN8lDmKk

Slides from March 20 Severe Weather Press Conference: