HONOLULU, September 4 — President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi County, unlocking federal aid for residents still recovering from the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the Kona region on May 22. The declaration, designated FEMA-4936-DR, makes Individual Assistance available to eligible homeowners and renters who sustained earthquake-related damage. Governor Josh Green, who requested the federal help, announced the approval Thursday.
“Mahalo to President Trump and our federal partners for approving this critical assistance,” Green said. “Many families are still dealing with significant damage to their homes, water-catchment systems and property.” The quake was not tied to volcanic activity.
The U.S. Geological Survey described it as a “lithospheric flexure earthquake” occurring within the upper lithospheric mantle of the Pacific Plate. Mayor Kimo Alameda’s emergency proclamation, issued shortly after the quake, noted roughly 207 damage reports concentrated in the Districts of Kaʻū, North Kona, and South Kona. Those reports included substantial damage to residential structures and to residential, commercial, and agricultural water catchment systems.
The mayor warned that the loss of catchment capacity could create an immediate need for temporary water distribution beyond what county resources could handle. FEMA grants can cover temporary housing, home repairs, and other eligible expenses not paid by insurance.
Residents are urged to file claims with their insurers promptly, since FEMA cannot duplicate insurance-covered losses. Applications are free and can be filed online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362, with operators available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST and translation services on hand. Homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofit organizations may also qualify for long-term, low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, filed via the MySBA Loan Portal or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
The state and county plan to open Local Recovery Centers, with dates and locations to be posted at ready.hawaii.gov. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is November 1, 2026. This declaration covers only the May 22 earthquake and is separate from federal and state responses to Tropical Cyclone Lala. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Lopez stressed the urgency.
“This declaration opens the door to critical federal assistance for Hawaiʻi County residents whose homes and essential systems were damaged by the May 22 earthquake,” he said. “We encourage residents to document their losses, contact their insurance providers and apply before the Nov. 1 deadline, even if they are unsure whether they qualify.” What to watch: the rollout of Local Recovery Centers across the affected districts and whether the SBA loan portal sees a surge of applications from farmers and households dependent on damaged catchment systems.
