Story by Chamber staff

When the Kona Low storm battered Oahu’s North Shore, it left behind more than downed trees and flooded roads. It disrupted the livelihoods of small business owners who form the backbone of the community. In response, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, established the North Shore Small Business Relief Fund, mobilizing donors to provide direct, timely support to affected establishments.

The response from the business community was immediate. More than 80 businesses applied for assistance, each with their own story of storm-related loss: flooded storefronts, damaged equipment, disrupted income. Donors like Gerald Clay, Founder and CEO of Clay Partnering stepped forward early, helping ensure the fund could begin distributing relief before the need became even more urgent. His contribution, along with others, allowed the Foundation to move quickly rather than wait for a fundraising target to be met.

“Gerald Clay recognized that small businesses couldn’t afford to wait after the devastation of the Kona lows,” says Sherry Menor, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. “His early generosity helped the Foundation begin providing relief immediately, giving business owners critical support as they worked to recover. We’re deeply grateful for his leadership and hope his example inspires others to contribute so we can continue helping the businesses still waiting for assistance.”

For Clay, the decision to contribute early was rooted in the belief that timely support could make all the difference for small businesses working to recover.

Given the volume of need, the Foundation developed a rubric to thoughtfully evaluate each request and prioritize businesses facing the most significant storm-related impacts. This approach helped ensure available funding reached those with the most immediate recovery needs.

To date, the fund has raised nearly $82,000 and distributed nearly all of it to businesses in need. Grants were intended to cover the real, immediate costs of storm recovery, including:

• Rent and mortgage payments
• Loan payments
• Utilities
• Equipment repair and replacement
• Inventory replacement
• Payroll and staff support
• Cleanup and remediation
• Temporary relocation or shelter
• Transportation

“The flooding caused significant water damage to many of our bee hives, so they needed to be replaced,” says Katie Metzger, Founder of Hanai Hives. “Our surviving colonies were also weakened because the flooding and constant rain made it impossible for them to forage, making recovery even more challenging. Because of the donation, I was able to purchase new bee hives and order queen bees from the Big Island to help rebuild our apiaries and strengthen our colonies. Those resources have been essential in helping us recover and begin growing our apiaries again. I’m incredibly grateful to the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii (Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation) and everyone who has contributed to the relief fund. Your generosity has made a real difference in helping us rebuild, and I know it has done the same for many other North Shore businesses.”

For many recipients, the impact went beyond dollars. A grant that covers a month of rent or a payroll cycle can mean the difference between a business reopening its doors or closing them for good.

But the work is far from finished. Of the more than 80 businesses that applied, many qualified for support but were not able to be funded in this first round of giving simply because the need outpaced the dollars available. The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation continues to accept donations to the North Shore Small Business Relief Fund, with the goal of reaching every business still waiting for support.

The North Shore Small Business Relief Fund reflects the Foundation’s broader mission: supporting the resilience of Hawaii’s small business community, especially in moments of crisis. Storms like the Kona Low are a reminder that recovery isn’t just about clearing debris, it’s about making sure the businesses that anchor a community have the resources to come back stronger. With continued community support, more of the businesses still waiting can get the help they need.

Donate here.