Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund

The Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund is a private grant program established by the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation in partnership with the Hawaii Farm Bureau to support agricultural producers impacted by unforeseen natural disasters, specifically the Kona Low storms of 2026. The fund was created in response to widespread agricultural damage across the state, with early assessments indicating millions of dollars in losses and significant acreage affected. The program reflects a community-driven effort, supported by charitable contributions, to stabilize and rebuild Hawaii agricultural operations and ensure continued local food production. The primary purpose of the fund is to provide direct financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses that experienced damage or operational disruption due to the storms. The program focuses on addressing unmet recovery needs that are not fully covered by insurance or other aid sources. Funding is intended to help restore agricultural productivity, rebuild infrastructure, and enable producers to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. Grant funding is structured across two tiers, allowing applicants to request support based on the scale of their recovery needs. Eligible uses of funds include crop recovery and replanting, livestock replacement, irrigation and fencing repairs, debris removal, greenhouse restoration, soil rehabilitation, equipment replacement, and broader operational recovery efforts. Smaller-scale needs fall under Tier 1 funding, while more extensive infrastructure or production losses are addressed under Tier 2. The program emphasizes practical recovery expenses directly tied to disaster impacts and does not indicate any cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is limited to bona fide agricultural businesses operating within the State of Hawaii. Applicants must possess both an Employer Identification Number and a General Excise license, confirming their status as legitimate agricultural enterprises. This includes a broad range of producer types, such as farms, ranches, fisheries, and related agricultural businesses. The program is geographically restricted to Hawaii and does not extend to applicants outside the state. The application process requires eligible producers to submit a formal grant application by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not fully detailed, applicants are expected to demonstrate the extent of storm-related damage and justify the requested funding based on recovery needs. Applications are reviewed by both the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau to ensure equitable distribution of funds and prioritization of those with the greatest need. The application deadline is July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM HST. The program is currently open for submissions and is not described as recurring, indicating a one-time emergency funding opportunity tied to the 2026 disaster event. Applicants can direct questions regarding the application process to the designated contact email. Award decisions are contingent upon available funding, and submission of an application does not guarantee receipt of funds. The overall timeline reflects an urgent response effort aimed at accelerating recovery for affected agricultural producers.