In an effort to aid Native Hawaiians who are still feeling the impacts from the government shutdown, applications are now being accepted for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' emergency assistance program.
I Ola: OHA’s Emergency Relief Fund launched Nov. 10 and offers one-time assistance for Native Hawaiians who lost or had their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits reduced, as well as Native Hawaiian federal civilian workers who were furloughed or experienced pay interruptions because of the shutdown.
According to an announcement Tuesday from the Hawaiian Council, formerly known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the OHA Board of Trustees approved the $6.1 million emergency assistance plan during its Nov. 6 meeting in Hilo and announced a partnership with the Hawaiian Council to implement the program.
Up to $350 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian SNAP beneficiaries with no dependents who are excluded from the state’s relief program, the announcement noted.
Foodland gift cards will be provided to residents on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i, while gift cards to KTA Super Stores will be provided to residents on Hawai‘i Island. However, residents on Lāna‘i and Molokai will receive a direct assistance check because of limited store availability, the council notes.
Meanwhile, checks up to $1,200 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian federal civilian employees who were furloughed or did not receive pay during the shutdown, and who earn no more than 400% of the federal poverty level, the Hawaiian Council notes. You can find those income limits here, but for a household of four, that’s $147,936, according to the Hawaiian Council.
Ready to apply?
You can do so online; by calling the Hawaiian Council at 808-596-8155 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays to fill out an application over the phone; or by submitting an application in person at 91-1270 Kinoiki Street in Kapolei during regular office hours.
To apply, you’ll need proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry, a government-issued photo ID showing residency in the state, a benefits verification letter for SNAP recipients; and an official letter or statement from your federal agency, the announcement says.
Need help with your application?
Those on the Neighbor Islands can get help this weekend, when the Hawaiian Council’s community outreach team travels to Maui, Molokai, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island to provide in-person support.
“We know that even temporary interruptions in income or benefits can have a lasting impact,” Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council, said in the announcement. “Our team is mobilizing statewide to make sure relief reaches families as quickly as possible — especially those on our Neighbor Islands who may have limited access to services.”
Here’s where you can find outreach team:
Maui
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at Maui Mall, 153 E. Kamehameha Ave., Suite 101 in Kahului.
- 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at Lahaina Resource Center, 325 Keawe St., B102 in Lahaina.
Molokai
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at 600 Maunaloa Highway in Kaunakakai.
Kaua‘i
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at 4405 Kukui Grove St., Suite 103 in Līhu‘e.
Hawai‘i Island
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2100 Kanoelehua Ave., Unit 9 and 10 in Hilo.
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokolole Highway, Building B in Kailua-Kona.
The 43-day federal government shutdown began at midnight on Oct. 1.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
