Live Updates
@hawaiinewsnow report on the pop-up community assistance center (CAC) in Waianae this past weekend.
GEM Hawai’i Pacific joined several other agencies at the city’s pop-up community assistance center in Waianae this past weekend.
Hundreds of Leeward Coast residents impacted by last month’s Kona low flooding came by for assistance. Disaster recovery support included housing and rental assistance resources, SNAP and benefits navigation, health and social services referrals, and community-based support programs. #hawaii #konalow #flooding
TODAY: STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
WALANAE MALL | SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Final intake at 12:30 PM)
SERVICES INCLUDE:
*Disaster recovery support
*Housing & rental assistance resources
*SNAP & benefits navigation
*Health & social services referrals
*Community-based support programs
Attention Oahu residents: Do you need assistance recovering from the Kona Low storms? GEM will be at the Wai’anae Mall on Saturday, April 25 from 9am- 1pm with other disaster relief partners to help anyone in need.
GEM Hawaii Pacific was proud to join Mayor Richard Bissen and other County of Maui leaders in gathering with about 100 Moloka‘i residents on Sunday, April 19, 2026, to hear firsthand about recent storm impacts. “We know that for rural communities like Moloka‘i, accessing services can come with added challenges,” Mayor Bissen said.
“That’s why it’s important that we bring government to our Moloka‘i residents, listen to their concerns and needs, and work together across agencies and with community partners to ensure support reaches families and meets needs on the ground. Clients shared that they felt seen and heard, and many made meaningful progress in their recovery—completing TANF applications, updating documents, and revising their recovery plans.”
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner in this work and to serve the community in such a tangible and impactful way. We’re here every step of the way. Mahalo to @govjoshgreen for his leadership in bringing this vital program to Hawai‘i.
Attention: To ALL Molokaʻi residents - if you were impacted by the recent Kona Low storms and need assistance, GEM will join, Maui County Mayor Bissen today at 10am, Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for a community meeting to share updates, answer questions, and provide access to support and services.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR — NEWS RELEASE | STATE OF HAWAII RESPONDS TO KONA LOW IMPACTS, LAUNCHES KONA LOW INTERIM DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
“HIEMA has selected Global Empowerment Mission as the lead organization for the interim DCMP and will coordinate and support the selected com-munity-based organizations (CBOs) in each county to deliver services. The initial launch of the program will bring immediate disaster case management services to residents on O`ahu and across Maui County, with additional services on Kaua`i and the Island of Hawaii expected to commence soon.”
Via @mauicountyofficeofrecovery For preliminary information on State temporary shelter options for individuals and families displaced by the March Kona storms, visit the HEIMA webpage:
https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/preliminary-information-on-temporary-housing/
Via @countyofmaui Mayor Richard Bissen will hold a community meeting at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for Moloka’i residents to discuss impacts of the recent Kona storms and severe weather in their area. County staff will attend to provide response updates, help address questions from residents and hear directly from the community. To learn more and to help, please visit the link in our bio section. For more information, call Public Affairs at (808) 270-7855.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Temporary
Housing Options for Individuals and Families Displaced by the Kona Low Storms.
As the islands of Hawaii prepare for their 3rd Kona Low, GEM Hawai’i Pacific team remains vigilant while monitoring the incoming weather system. We encourage everyone to stay safe and take action to avoid driving through dangerous and swift flood waters. Stay tuned to local and state officials for official updates and information regarding this new potentially severe weather event. To learn more, and how you can help please visit the link in our bio section. #hawaii #floods #konalow or visit GEM.org
Be prepared as the 3rd Kona Low approaches today. Stay tuned for alerts.
Summary Stats
Rental Assistance Program for FEMA-Ineligible
Phase 1: Immediate Response
Our GEM BStrong team is on the ground now in Maui, Hawaii, assisting those who have been severely affected by the wildfires. Our immediate assistance will come in the form of our BStrong cash cards, which offer survivors the flexibility of purchasing whatever supplies they need most. We will also be offering Airbnb Short-term accommodation assistance, Long-term housing solutions, Rebuilding projects, and Contractor tool purchasing assistance to those who’s homes have been severely damaged or completely destroyed in the fires. We will also be offering support for pets affected. Our team will be on the ground indefinitely, ensuring that those on Maui will be given as much long-term support as needed.
GEM will now be operating from our new Maui office, which is open to assist with long-term housing applications, our BStrong cash assistance cards, and other aid.
Long-term Housing Solutions
GEM is presently offering longer-term housing assistance to those who have been displaced by the Lahaina fires. In this program, we are helping to alleviate housing costs to families having to move into new spaces. We will also supply these homes with basic first needs, within our GEM Welcome Home Kits.
Partners
