Maui County Eligible for Tsunami Recovery Aid through SBA

By Wendy Osher

Debris pushed by the power of tsunami surges became wedged in park gates and pushed over the perimeter fence at the Kanaha Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers open in Maui County this week for businesses and residents affected by the March 11, 2011 tsunami.  The aid is made possible through the U.S. Small Business Administration, which approved of the Disaster Loan assistance requested by Governor Neil Abercrombie for Maui County.

“We are working with all available resources to aid our residents and businesses affected by the tsunami and we’re grateful that the federal government has agreed to help,” Governor Abercrombie said.

The declaration from the SBA allows qualified homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits in Maui County and Kalawao County (Kalaupapa) to receive help through low-interest disaster loans.  The funds can be used to repair or replace materials damaged from the tsunami event.

“We’re still working quickly to rebuild from the damage sustained and help bring normalcy to affected residents and businesses,” said Gov. Abercrombie.

The Disaster Declaration was based on additional damage assessments conducted by teams from the SBA, Civil Defense, and American Red Cross agencies.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will open on Maui at the Kihei Community Center beginning on Wednesday April 13, 2011.  Center hours will be 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 13, 15, 18 and 19.

A separate center will be available on Moloka’i at the Kilohana Community Center beginning on Thursday, April 14, 2011.  Moloka’i center hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 14 and April 21.

The SBA center in Kailua-Kona also remains open until April 21, 2011.

For more information call (800)659-2955 or (800)877-8339 (TTY).

***Supporting information courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawai’i.