October 23, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Release No. 2023-0032<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HONOLULU \u2014 Time is running out for private nonprofits, houses of worship and government organizations to apply for a key type of federal assistance for the Hawai\u2018i wildfire disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requests for public assistance funding from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) must be filed no later than Wednesday, Oct. 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese funds can reimburse nonprofits and houses of worship that provided vital support to the people of Maui,\u201d said James Barros, Administrator of the Hawai\u2018i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA). \u201cWith the deadline approaching, we want to make sure no one misses this opportunity if they are eligible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The disaster declaration covering the August 2023 wildfires in Hawai\u2018i authorizes Public Assistance funding to reimburse and pay for protective measures and hazard mitigation, including fire mitigation and environmental and historic preservation projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Private nonprofit organizations \u2013 including houses of worship and community groups \u2013 may be eligible for financial reimbursement for emergency protective measures, debris removal or restoration of certain facilities. More details on the program are available on the FEMA website for the Hawai\u2018i wildfire disaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNonprofits are part of what makes our community strong and resilient, and these FEMA Public Assistance funds can reimburse them for costs they incurred as a result of the wildfire disaster,\u201d Barros said. \u201cWe\u2019d hate to see them miss this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n