SBA disaster loans after Hurricane Lowell: what a Hawaiʻi business can get, and when

The short answer: nothing is open until the federal Major Disaster Declaration is approved (requested September 9, pending). When it is, business physical-damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans open at once. Here is what they are, what they take, and how to have the folder ready.

2. Money

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

FEMA: PENDING. FEMA's Individuals and Households Program pays households for housing and other uninsured needs; it is not a business program, and FEMA sends business losses to the SBA (FEMA IHP; FEMA/SBA). Nothing is open until a declaration with Individual Assistance is approved.

SBA disaster loans: NOT YET AVAILABLE for Lowell. Terms once declared (SBA; SBA EIDL):

• *Business Physical Disaster Loan:* up to $2 million for real estate, equipment, inventory, fixtures; any size business and private nonprofits; up to 20% more for mitigation.
• *Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL):* up to $2 million working capital (rent, utilities, fixed debt) for small businesses, ag co-ops, most nonprofits; no physical damage required; you can hold both.
• *Rates and terms:* fixed, not over 4% if you can't get credit elsewhere (up to 8% if you can); up to 30 years; first payment and interest deferred 12 months; no prepayment penalty.
• *Apply:* lending.sba.gov/search-disaster, 800-659-2955, disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Deadlines are set in SBA's notice; in Hawaiʻi's April 2026 storm declaration both deadlines were June 14 with a 60-day grace period (SBA, May 28).
• *Documents to gather now:* SBA Form 5, IRS 4506-T, latest business and personal returns, year-to-date P&L and balance sheet, personal financial statement (413D), schedule of liabilities (2202), ID, EIN (USA.gov).
• *Free help:* Hawaiʻi SBDC advises on SBA applications at no cost; Kauaʻi Center, 2970 Kele St #101, 808-241-3148 (SBDC; Kauaʻi Center).

State and county. No state business grant or loan for Lowell has been announced (DBEDT: NOT YET AVAILABLE). County: storm-debris tipping fees waived at Kekaha Landfill and transfer stations, commercial loads included (Garden Island, Sept 10); Office of Economic Development business specialist Mark Aqui, 808-241-4948 (County OED).

Relief funds (grants go to organizations, not directly to businesses unless noted).

• Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Stronger Hawaiʻi Initiative deployed $265,000 on Sept 10, including KEDB $40,000 (emergency supplies, commercial ice), Mālama Kauaʻi $50,000 (farm and ranch losses: infrastructure, equipment, crops, livestock), Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi $100,000, Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank $25,000 (Kauai Now, Sept 10). Mālama Kauaʻi is issuing gift cards up to $2,000 per affected household, homes and farms (HNN, Sept 12).
• OHA approved $362,800 for verified Native Hawaiian households on Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, and West Oʻahu; application details pending at oha.org (Kauai Now, Sept 11).
• Kauaʻi United Way opened a Hurricane Lowell Relief fund (Civil Beat). Referrals: 211.

Banks and credit unions.

• First Hawaiian: Kapaʻa, Kōloa, Līhuʻe, Waimea open; Princeville closed. Online deferral-request form; keep paying until terms are confirmed in writing; 888-844-4444 (FHB).
• Bank of Hawaiʻi: Līhuʻe, ʻEleʻele, Kapaʻa open 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Princeville closed (Kauai Now, Sept 14). Its relief page lists only Maui programs (BOH).
• Central Pacific: no Lowell relief program posted (CPB).
• Hawaiʻi State FCU: emergency loans up to $5,000, no payments for three months; deferrals of one to three months (interest accrues); penalty-free term-share withdrawals; 808-587-2700 (KITV, Sept 11). HawaiiUSA FCU lists relief options for Lala and Lowell (HawaiiUSA).
• Gather FCU and Kauaʻi FCU: branch hours only, no relief program posted (Gather; KFCU).