SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with the Hawaii Small Business Development Center to open an SBA Business Recovery Center in Kailua-Kona on Monday, Sept. 18, to provide a wide range of services to small businesses impacted by Maui wildfires that began Aug. 8. The Kailua-Kona opening follows a recently expanded declaration by the Biden Administration to allow small businesses in all Hawaii counties to access wildfire-related disaster assistance.
“Due to the severe property damage in Maui and economic losses the Maui wildfires inflicted on small businesses in all of Hawaii, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Director Jeffrey Lusk of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center‑West. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each small business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The center will open as indicated below.
HAWAII COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
West Hawaii Civic Center
Next to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing office
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18
Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
SBA representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application.
As SBA previously announced, SBA representatives continue to be available at the following Business Recovery Centers in Honolulu, Kapa'a and Kihei, and a Portable Loan Outreach Center in Lahaina to provide information on SBA disaster loans and business assistance on the dates and times indicated.
HONOLULU COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Hawaii Foreign–Trade Zone No. 9
521 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. # 201, Pier 2
Honolulu, HI 96813
Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
KAUAI COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Kaua'i Federal Credit Union's new community space in Kapa'a
(former Otsuka Furniture building)
1624 Kuhio Highway
Kapa’a, HI 96746
Mondays - Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
MAUI COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Hawaii Technology Development Corp
Maui Research Tech Center
Building # A, Ste. 119 (Conference Room)
590 Lipoa Pkwy.
Kihei, HI 96753
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
MAUI COUNTY
Portable Loan Outreach Center
Maui Resorts Rentals
30 Halawai Dr.
Lahaina, HI 96761
Mondays – Saturdays, 9. a.m. – 5 p.m.
Homeowners, renters and business owners from Maui who have been displaced by the Maui wildfires, and small businesses in all of Hawaii that have working capital needs caused by the Maui wildfires, may also visit the centers to meet with SBA representatives and apply for disaster loans.
According to Interim State Director Joseph Burns, Hawaii Small Business Development Center business advisors can provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future.
“Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation,” Burns said.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Interest rates are 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://www.sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 10, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 10, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.