Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2018 — OHA releases checks to Native hawaiians impacted by april flood on Kaua'i [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA releases checks to Native hawaiians impacted by april flood on Kaua'i

Office of Hawaiian Affairs News Release HA N A L E I , KAUA'I - The OfhceofHawaiian Affairs (OHA) on June 20 distributed the first set of disaster relief checks to 58 Native Hawaiians households impacted by the April flood on Kaua'i. The checks were distributed at OHA's Board meeting at the Waipā Foundation in Hanalei, Kaua'i.

"This community is working extremely hard to bounce back," said Kaua'i and Ni'ihau Trustee Dan Ahuna. "The support OHA has been able to provide is an example of what we ean accomplish when we as an agency stand behind our eommunity. We have relief funds still available and urge people to help us get the word out to beneficiaries who still need kōkua." On June 7, the OHA Board announced a relief package of emergency loans and $500,000 in aid for Native Hawaiians impacted by the

natural disasters on Kaua'i and Hawai'i Island. Since then, OHA began collaborating with Catholic Charities Hawai'i to distribute $200,000 in OHA funds to Native Hawaiian households on Kaua'i affected by the flood. The one-time emergency financial assistance may be used for food, clothing, medicine, or other materials; emergency housing; medical and related services; transportation; and dependent child or elder care. In addition, OHA is

partnering with the Waipā Foundation to distribute $50,000 to kalo farmers affected by the flooding and is also offering disaster relief loans for a variety of needs. For information on OHA's Kaua'i disaster relief programs, please visit www.oha.org/kauai or contact the OHA Kaua'i Community Outreach Center at 808-241-3390 or email info@oha.org. Updates for OHA's relief efforts for Hawai'i Island will be available at www.oha.org/puna. ■

Dan Ahuna Vice Chair, TrustEE, Kaua'i ard Ni'ihau

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is providing aid to help our beneficiaries recover and rebuild their lives and homes after the flooding. - Photos: Jason iees and Kawena Carvalho-Mattos