HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is encouraging farmers and ranchers impacted by Kona low 1 and Kona low 2 to apply for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Emergency Farmer Relief Program. The program will provide eligible farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses with a one-time grant of $1,500 to address immediate needs resulting from the storms.
Applications for the Emergency Farmer Relief Program opened on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Applicants who complete and submit applications by Friday, March 27, 2026 will be prioritized for funding. Awards are expected to be announced during the week of March 30, 2026.
The City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) and Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) are assisting with outreach to help ensure Oʻahu’s agricultural community is aware of the assistance currently available and the upcoming application deadline.
Applicants must have experienced damage or losses from the storms and must provide a valid General Excise Tax (GET) license proving they conduct business in the State of Hawaiʻi. The program application is available on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s website.
In addition to the emergency grant program, the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture will be considering a request to activate the emergency agricultural loan program for damage caused by the Kona low storms. If approved, emergency loans of up to $100,000 at 3% interest may be available for qualified agricultural producers.
Farmers who sustained damage to agricultural operations during the Kona low storm events are also encouraged to report agricultural damage online to help the State and federal partners assess impacts and determine additional support that may become available.
After a disaster, recovery can feel overwhelming, but assistance is available. Documenting damage, reporting losses, and applying for available programs are important first steps in the recovery process.
For more information on the Emergency Farmer Relief Program and other available recovery resources, please visit the City’s storm recovery website: https://www.honolulu.gov/dem/storm-recovery-information/
Emergency Farmer Relief Program application: https://dab.hawaii.gov/emergencyfarmerrelief/
Report Agricultural Damage: https://report.agstewardshiphawaii.org/
Sign Up for HNL Alert: City officials encourage residents to remain attentive to future weather and shelter updates through HNL Alert. Residents can register online at hnlalert.gov to receive emergency information and regular storm updates. To receive urgent alerts only, text HNLALERT to 888-777 to quickly subscribe and receive the most important notifications by text message.
