Hawaii Emergency Farmer Relief Program (EFR)

The Emergency Farmer Relief (EFR) program is for farmers and ranchers impacted by the recent storm systems -- Kona Low 1 and Kona Low 2. Farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses can apply to receive a one-time grant of $1,500.00 to address immediate needs resulting from the storm. A total of $500,000 was authorized for this emergency grant program from DAB restricted funds.

Applicants must have experienced damage or losses from the storms and must provide a General Excise Tax (GET) license, proving they conduct business in the state.

A flat one-time disaster grant — simple terms, and the round is closed.

• Amount: "individual farming and ranching operations can receive up to $1,500 in Emergency Farmer Relief funds." One payment, per operation.

• No match, no cost-share, no repayment — it is a grant, not a loan, and no percentage contribution is required.

• Not guaranteed even if eligible: "Completing this template does not guarantee receipt of funds. This form helps the Department to quantify the needs of local farmers, gauge the level of funding needed, and determine where the funding will be most impactful." Awards were distributed on a rolling, priority-reviewed basis rather than to every applicant.

• What you had to show: damage or loss from Kona Low 1 and/or Kona Low 2, and a Hawaiʻi General Excise Tax (GET) license proving you do business in the state. The intake form asked for total estimated loss in bands from "Less than $2,500" up to "Over $100,000" — but the payment was flat $1,500 regardless of the band, so a large loss did not buy a larger grant.

• Claim window mattered: "Awardees have until June 8, 2026 to claim awards. If awards are not claimed by June 8, 2026, awards will be redistributed to other applicants." A separate notice asks anyone having trouble depositing their check to contact DAB by August 31, 2026.

The program page is now an awardee list, so treat this as a closed one-time round. If another Hawaiʻi storm relief round opens, expect similar flat-grant terms.

The application was available on DAB's website at https://dab.hawaii.gov/emergencyfarmerrelief/. Questions on the program or application should be directed to dab.efr@hawaii.gov. Applications opened Tuesday, March 24, 2026; applicants who submitted by Friday, March 27, 2026 were prioritized for funding; applications were accepted through Friday, April 3, 2026.