Kona Low Storms
INCIDENT OVERVIEW
First Storm: March 10th – 16th, 2026
Second Storm: March 19th – 24th, 2026
The Hawaiian Islands were hit by two low pressure storms (locally called a Kona Low) that brought high winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain. Many were and are still impacted by the storm.
As always, HFB’s primary concern is for the safety of our members, staff, customers, vendors, and the communities that we serve. Below we have gathered some information that may help the agricultural community recover.
FARM SAFETY
Farm Food Safety. As cleanup and recovery begin, we would like to share some important food safety reminders. Even farms that appear less affected, should take extra precautions during this time.
Safe Water for Livestock. If your operation was flooded or is still experiencing flooding, providing safe drinking water is critical to prevent disease, maintain production, and support overall animal welfare. Below are a few steps can can be taken.
>>Empty and clean water troughs – Empty and remove debris. Wash and disinfect with a 10% bleach solution and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse the tank.
>>Boil water – Bring water to boil for at least 3 minutes and allow it to cool before giving to animals
Information provided by UH Manoa – CTAHR’s Cooperative Extension
Kalo (Taro) Specific Guidance. Below are kalo specific food safety practices that we encourage you to put into practice on your farm.
>>Destroy/discard the current crop of kalo in the ground if impacted by floodwaters, even if harvest is 2-3 months away. This is due to microbial uptake in the plant
>>Wait a couple of weeks before preparing the field to allow for breakdown of microbial contaminants.
>>Huli replanting: it is okay to replant huli that is prepped (cut the corm off, pull off the older leaf sheaths). Removing parts that have chemical contaminant residues on them is key so that the new meristem that grows and emerges will be clean.
>>Optional: do a sanitizing bath once all the huli are cut and prepped for planting, to reduce any possible cross-contamination during trimming.
On April 22, 2026, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) has announced the reopening of the Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC). With the reopening of the center, local farmers will have access to soil and plant testing here in the state.
Immediate support is available for flood-affected farmers. With ADSC’s reopening, CTAHR will be offering every affected farmer free tests for up to three (3). This offering will be available until July 21, 2026.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Our team is working to find funding opportunities that our members are able to access to help recover after the Kona Low Storms. We understand that many are still not able to access their properties and/or are still in the assessing the full extent of the damage.
As of March 23, 2026, HDAB has sent the a request to the Hawai’i Board of Agriculture to activate an emergency agricultural loam program for damages as a result of the Kona Low Storms.
If approved as requested, emergency loans of up to $100,000 will be available at 3% interest for qualified agricultural producers. For more information, contact the Agricultural Loan Division at 808-973-9460 or dab.agloan@hawaii.gov.
Agricultural Loan Division
Hilo-Phone: (808) 933-9977
Kona-Phone: (808) 323-7591
Kauai-Phone: (808) 241-3141, extension 39460 (Toll Free)
Maui -Phone: (808) 948-2400, extension 39460 (Toll Free)
Molokai-Phone: 1-800-468-4644, extension 39460 (Toll Free)
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP): Provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses.
For ELAP, producers are required to complete a notice of loss and submit a payment application to their local FSA office no later than the annual program application deadline, March 1, 2027.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Gives financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to repair and restore farmland affected by the Kona Low Storms that occurred March 10, 2026 – March 24, 2026.
Deadline to apply is June 1, 2026
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): Provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government. LIP payments are equal to 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock.
To participate in LIP, producers will have to provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses.
Tree Assistance Program (TAP): Orchardist and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, or vines.
For TAP, a program application must be filed within 90 days of the disaster event or the date when the loss of the trees, bushes or vines is apparent.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns including improved water and air quality; conserved ground and surface water; increased soil health; reduced soil erosion and sedimentation; improved or created wildlife habitat; and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.
This can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters.
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. This can assist local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization.
Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Sponsors must submit a formal request (by mail or email) to the NRCS state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites become available.
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi (April 16, 2026) — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has launched the Mahiʻai Micro Fund Program, an initiative providing direct, flexible financial support to Native Hawaiian farmers across Hawaiʻi to help offset rising operational costs and strengthen agricultural enterprises.
The program offers two tiers of funding to meet varying needs across the stateʻs farming community. Farmers impacted by the recent Kona Low weather events may be eligible for awards of up to $5,000, while other eligible farmers may receive awards of up to $3,000 to support ongoing operational costs. This approach ensures that immediate recovery needs are addressed, while continuing to support the broader stability and sustainability of Native Hawaiian farming operations statewide.
Application Window: May 1–15, 2026
Award Notifications: By June 15, 2026
OHA is collaborating with Hawaiian Council to support implementation of the program and administration of funds.
To be considered, applicants must complete the following:
Verify Native Hawaiian status through the Hawaiian Registry Program (HRP): https://www.oha.org/resources/hawaiian-registry/
> How to Apply: To get started, please complete the Mahiʻai Micro Fund Inquiry Form: https://tinyurl.com/MahiaiMicrofundInquiry
Applicants who complete these steps will be referred to the Hawaiian Council for funding consideration. Selected awardees will be contacted to submit required documentation prior to receiving funds.
For more information or assistance, contact: economicresilience@oha.org
Click on the image below to learn more.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board approved the distribution of financial support to assist with emergency assistance, direct grants, and home repair support:
Redirecting I Ola Emergency Aid (up to $3.3 million):
Through a contract amendment with Hawaiian Council, OHA will reallocate existing funds to provide:
>Up to $2.9 million to support verified Native Hawaiian households in highly impacted areas
>Up to $100,000 to support community resource hubs statewide
>Up to $300,000 in assistance for federal civilian workers affected by the Department of Homeland Security shutdown (e.g., TSA Agents)
Direct Disaster Aid Grants ($410,000):
Funding will provide direct financial assistance to eligible Native Hawaiian households in impacted regions.
Mālama Honua Home Repair Grants ($250,000):
Grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to support necessary home repairs resulting from storm damage for qualified households who provide verified repair estimates or invoices.
U-Haul Company of Hawaii is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage to residents impacted by the Kona Storm. They has five centers currently offering self-storage in Hawaii: three on Oahu, one on Maui, and one on the Big Island.
Call or stop by the nearest U-Haul store to take advantage of the 30 days free goodwill offer.
Participating Locations
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Honolulu
2722 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 836-0977
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Iwilei
720 Iwilei Road
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 829-4839
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Kakaako
438 Kamakee St.
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 725-3405
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Maui-Kahului
424 Dairy Road
Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 249-8041
U-Haul Moving & Storage at Kailua-Kona
74-5484 Kaiwi St.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 374-2049