Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 9, 1 September 2018 — OHA emergency funds distributed to Iava flow victims [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA emergency funds distributed to Iava

flow victims

By Sterling Wong HAWAI'I ISLAND - A second batch of checks from OHA's natural disaster relief program were distributed to 55 Native Hawaiian households to help them eope with the devastating impacts from the recent lava flows in Puna. The Aug. 21 checks eome from the $250,000 in funds that OHA set aside for emergency Ananeial assistance for individual Native Hawaiian households in Puna. So far, $170,000 total has been distributed to 116 households. Beneficiaries are encouraged to continue to apply for the remainder of the funds. "We send our deepest aloha to the residents of Puna, who eontinue to endure so mueh," said Kamana'opono Crabbe, OHA

: Chief Executive Officer and Ka i Pouhana. "Their lives, their homes ; and their community will in many 1 ways never be the same, We hope ! that our support ean help provide ; them some comfort during these challenging times." ; The funds for Native Hawai- i ian households in Puna are part i

of OHA's 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. In lune, OHA began distribution of $200,000 for Kaua'i households affected by the flooding, and $50,000 was allocated for kalo farmers in the area. OHA is collaborating with the Neighborhood Plaee of Puna to distribute the $250,000 to qualified Native Hawaiian households in Puna. Eligible Native Hawaiians must resided in a home or rental unit in Puna as of May 1, 2018, and have been adversely affected the lava flow. The $1,000 to $2,000 Ananeial assistance awards are limited to one per household. The one-time emergency Ananeial assistance may be used for food, clothing, medicine, and other materials; emergency housing; medical

and related services; transportation; and dependent child or elder care. Potential applicants are asked to eall in advance to schedule a meeting with the staff of Neighborhood Plaee of Puna, whose contact information is: Address: 16-105 Opukahaia Street, Keaau Hawai'i 96749 Phone: 808-965-5550 E-mail: billi-jo@neighborhood place.org In addition, Native Hawaiians affected by the lava flows are also encouraged to apply for disaster relief loans from OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund. Loans are available for up to $20,000 with a four percent interest rate and up to six months of deferred payments. Loans may be used for home improvement, vehicle repair or replacement, or business stabilization. ■

RELIEF EFFŪRTS For more information on 0HA's Puna relief efforfs, please visit www.oha.org/puna, email info@oha.org or contaot 0HA's Hawai'i lsland offices: ; ŪHA East Hawai'i (Hilo) 399 Hualani Street Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 808-933-3106 OHA West Hawai'i (Kona) 75-1000 Henry Street Suite 205 1 Kailua Kona, Hawai'i 96740 808-327-9525

I Annie Kuamo'o, resident of I Puna receives aid from a partI nership between the Office of I Hawaiian Affairs and the NeighI borhood Plaee of Puna. Kamaile I Puluole-Mikhell, an OHA ComI munity Outreach Coordinator in I Hilo, is seen handing out relief I aid checks. - Photo: Koweno I Carvalho-Mattos