Hawaii Emergency Laulima Partnership “H.E.L.P.” Program Now Accepting Applications

A new program on Maui has received a $2 million boost in general funds from the county to assist families with members who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Laulima Partnership or H.E.L.P. program provides essential needs such as food, personal hygiene, medicine, rent, mortgage, utility services, phone or internet services, car payments and other necessities to affected residents.

Applications are now being accepted for financial assistance through the program which is administered through a partnership with Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

In announcing the program, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said, “The health and well-being of our residents are our top priority.  Relief efforts such as the H.E.L.P. program provide vital financial support to our residents, so they can stay healthy and provide for their families during this difficult time.”

To qualify, individuals must show:

• 25 percent or more reduction in income after March 4, 2020,
• Have less than $5,000 in liquid assets.

Application guidelines and a list of other required supporting documentation can be found online at www.meoinc.org.

Applications can be submitted online or at one of the secured drop boxes located at:

• Front parking lot of the MEO office at 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku
• Front entrance of the Kalana O Maui (County) Building in Wailuku

Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi community members may submit applications online or at their local MEO office:
Molokʻi: 380 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai
Lānaʻi: 1144 Ilima #102, Lānaʻi City

“We are grateful to Mayor Victorino and the County Council for providing this level of financial assistance to our community, and appreciate the county’s confidence in assigning MEO as the administrator of this program,” said Debbie Cabebe, Chief Executive Officer at Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

Those without access to internet, can call 249-2990 or 249-2980 and an application can sent via mail.