Policy & Public Affairs > Business Resilience
Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is partnering with the State of Hawaii Department Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT) to distribute $2 million in grant funding made available by the State of Hawaii to support non-agriculture small businesses and nonprofit corporations on Kauai that have been impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
The Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Program is now closed due to reaching the application limit. If more funds become available, the portal will reopen. If you have not yet applied, please complete the form below to be added to the waitlist. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to submit the form as soon as possible.
Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant
In partnership with the State of Hawaii Department Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT), the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii will distribute $2 million in grant funding made available by the State of Hawaii to support non-agriculture small businesses and nonprofit corporations on Kauai that have been impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
* Free application assistance is available with Kauai Small Business Development Center. Please contact Will Smith, Kauai Center Director, at will.smith@hisbdc.org or 808-241-3148 for more details.*
Grant Amounts
Tier 1 – Micro Enterprise Grant: $5,000*
annual gross revenue under $250,000, 1-10 employees including owner
Tier 2 – Small Business Grant: $10,000*
annual gross revenue $250,000-$5,000,000, 11-500 employees
Tier 3 – Micro Non-Profit Grant: $5,000
annual gross revenue under $250,000
Tier 4 – Small Non-Profit Grant: $10,000
annual gross revenue $250,000-$5,000,000
*Annual Revenue size will be the deciding factor if mixture between revenue and employee count between Tier 1 & 2 (i.e. $1M business with 8 employees will be Tier 2).
Program Overview
Learn more about the Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant, including program eligibility, funding details and application information. View the informational deck below for an overview of the program and available resources.
Due to overwhelming demand, we are no longer accepting applications for the Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant.
If more funds become available, an announcement will be made. For questions or application assistance, contact (808)210-6839 or lowell@cochawaii.org.
Who qualifies?
Click the button on the right to view eligibility requirements, application info, and a list of required documents for small businesses, sole proprietors, and nonprofit corporations.
Who qualifies (businesses)?
- Non-agricultural businesses impacted by Hurricane Lowell from September 7-8, 2026
- Small businesses with less than 500 employees and less than $5,000,000 annual gross revenue, independently owned and operated.
- At least one owner is a Hawaii resident and the applicant was physically operating on Kauai prior to September 7, 2026.
- Only one application permitted per Taxpayer Identification Number.
- A copy of Hawaii Compliance Express Certificate
- Sole Proprietors are exempt from HCE Certificate requirements provided that they submit proof that they are operating as sole proprietors. Instead, they can submit their Hawaii Tax Clearance Certificate issued within 60 days of application submission.
- The applicant was registered with DCCA prior to September 7, 2026. Not applicable to sole proprietor.
- The applicant must be current in state and federal taxes, and compliant with all state and federal laws.
- The applicant sustained material, economic, or physical harm directly caused by Hurricane Lowell.
- Claims must be from unmet storm related needs not already covered by insurance or other public/private recovery assistance.
- Documentation required for BUSINESS includes:
- Name of registered business
- Address of registered business
- Name of owners
- GET license number
- Email address phone number
- Hawaii Compliance Express Certificate
- For sole proprietorships, the COGS portion of the Certificate of Vendor Compliance is no longer required as sole proprietors are not required to register with the DCCA.
- Proof of operations before 9/7 such as Hawaii State income tax returns or GET returns
- Copy of primary owner’s drivers license
- Employee count documentation
- Any documentation of other Hurricane Lowell related aid received pending
- Proof of ownership or occupancy of a physical location in Kauai
- A narrative description of storm impact (500 words or less)
- Proof of material, economic or physical harm.
Who qualifies (nonprofit corporations)?
- Non-Agricultural nonprofit corporations impacted by Hurricane Lowell from September 7-8, 2026
- Designated as a nonprofit corporation by DCCA and has been operating in Kauai before September 7, 2026
- Has revenue generating activities with annual gross revenues for 2025 not exceeding $5,000,000.
- Has a physical location in Kauai.
- Has a governing board whose members have no material conflict of interest and serve without compensation.
- The applicant must be current in state and federal taxes, and compliant with all state and federal laws.
- The applicant sustained material, economic, or physical harm directly caused by Hurricane Lowell.
- Claims must be from unmet storm related needs not already covered by insurance or other public/private recovery assistance
- Documentation required for NONPROFIT CORPORATION includes:
- Name of registered entity
- Address of registered location
- GET license number
- Name of Executive Director, or equivalent person
- Email address of Executive Director, or equivalent
- Phone number of Executive Director, or equivalent
- Proof of State of Hawaii DCCA designation as nonprofit corporation
- Proof of ownership or occupancy of a physical location in Kauai
- Proof of operations before 9/7 such as Hawaii State income tax returns or GET returns
- Copy of Driver’s License or State ID of Executive Director’s, or equivalent
- Any documentation of other Hurricane Lowell related aid received pending
- List of Board Members
- Form 990
- A narrative description of storm impact (500 words or less)
- Proof of material, economic or physical harm.
How to Apply
- Visit the application portal here. No mail in applications will be accepted.
- Create an account.
- Complete the application thoroughly. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not qualify.
- Grant awardees will be notified within 15 business days of application completion.
Application forms & assistance will be available in Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
For questions or application assistance, contact (808)210-6839 or lowell@cochawaii.org.
* Application assistance is available with Kauai Small Business Development Center. Please contact Will Smith, Kauai Center Director, at will.smith@hisbdc.org or 808-241-3148 for more details.*
Apply for a Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant
Applications are now open. For questions or application assistance, contact (808)210-6839 or lowell@cochawaii.org.
Due to overwhelming demand, we are no longer accepting applications for the Kauai Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant.
If more funds become available, an announcement will be made. For questions or application assistance, contact (808)210-6839 or lowell@cochawaii.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
What are the eligibility requirements?
Please download the requirements HERE.
Can nonprofits apply?
Yes, both for-profit and non-profit corporations can apply!
Hawaii Community Foundation also supports nonprofits with disaster recovery through their Stronger Hawaii campaign. For more information, visit their website Strengthening – Stronger Hawaiʻi – Hawaii Community Foundation.
Can home-based businesses apply?
Yes, provided they meet all program eligibility requirements and were operating on Kauai before the hurricane.
I received insurance or other disaster assistance. Can I still apply?
Application
How do I apply?
Applications will be submitted online through the program application portal. The portal will allow applicants to upload required documentation and track the status of their application. Portal: chamberofcommercehawaii.submittable.com/submit
* Application assistance is available with Kauai Small Business Development Center. Please contact Will Smith, Kauai Center Director, at will.smith@hisbdc.org or 808-241-3148 for more details.*
Is there an application deadline?
Yes, 12/15/26 11:59 p.m. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, and grants will be distributed until funding is exhausted up to the application deadline. Funding is limited, so eligible businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
How are applications reviewed?
Applications undergo a multi-step review process to verify: business eligibility, required documentation, revenue information, storm-related impacts, and compliance with program requirements. Additional information may be requested if needed.
What documents do I need to apply?
Download the list of required documents, as well as eligibility and application info HERE.
What if I’m missing the correct information/documentation in my application?
What if I don’t have a current Certificate of Good Standing (COGS)?
After Application Submission
How long will it take to receive a decision?
When will grant payments be issued?
Approved grants are expected to be disbursed within 30 days after application approval.
What if my application is denied, and I do not agree with the decision?
Applicants may submit an appeal with additional documentation within 10 business days of receiving a denial notice. Appeals will undergo additional review before a final determination is made.
Additional Questions
Will my personal and financial information be protected?
Yes. Applications are submitted through a secure online platform, and all applicant information is handled in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy and security requirements.
Is assistance available if English is not my primary language?
What if I'd like to assist an eligible business owner with their application?
Thank you for your interest in supporting local businesses through this program! If you would like to see if you qualify to assist an applicant with the application process, please email tfetui@cochawaii.org for more information.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Call (808)210-6839 Monday thru Friday at 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays or email lowell@cochawaii.org.
Business Relief Fund
The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation is raising funds to assist the small businesses on the North Shore of Oahu affected by the recent Kona Low storms. Devastating floodwaters swept through the area’s communities, leaving businesses and homes in ruin.
Your donation will support small businesses in immediate need for flood relief. Funds collected through the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be distributed as direct financial assistance to affected small businesses to help cover immediate recovery and operating expenses, including repairs, equipment replacement, payroll and other essential costs.
Donate by check: Checks made payable to “Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation Relief Account”.
Mail to 733 Bishop St. Suite 1200 Honolulu, HI 96813