Hawaii Emergency Agricultural Loan Program (ELP)

The State of Hawai'i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agricultural Loan Division administers an emergency agricultural loan program to assist farmers and ranchers suffering damage from natural disasters. The program is activated by the Hawai'i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity for specific emergency events, with parameters (maximum loan amount, interest rate, application deadline) set on a case-by-case basis per activation. For the August 22, 2023 activation assisting Maui and Hawai'i Island farmers and ranchers suffering damage from high winds and wildfires, the Board approved the following parameters: Maximum loan amount $350,000.00; Interest rate 3%; terms determined on a case-by-case basis based on historical farm performance and projected cash flow. For agribusinesses and farmers needing loans of $50,000 or less, micro-loans involving less paperwork and swifter processing are available.

Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis as needed, based on historical farm performance and projected cash flow. (2023 wildfire activation) Interest rate 3%; the 3-year residency requirement for U.S. Citizens and permanent resident aliens shall not apply; collateral requirements may be modified or waived on a case-by-case basis; the credit denial requirement is waived. Pursuant to Section 4-8-15, Hawai'i Administrative Rules, the scope of loans under an emergency activation is limited to the emergency period in which the losses occurred, though the program may accept applications after the emergency period ends.

For further information, please call the Agricultural Loan Division in Honolulu at 808-973-9458 or email HDOA.AGLOAN@hawaii.gov.