Vibrant Hawai‘i has assembled resources for families on Hawai‘i Island, including food resources.
Hawai‘i Island Food Basket
The Hawai‘i Island Food Basket has adjusted its services to address the needs of Big Island residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with government and community partners on the implementation of its island-wide emergency drive-thru food distribution sites, ‘Ohana Food Drop(s). At designated locations around the island, anyone in need can pick up food free of charge on a first come, first serve basis from the comfort of their car.
To view the Food Basket's ‘Ohana Food Drop Schedule, please visit: hawaiifoodbasket.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please call (808) 933-6030 or use fill out the contact form. In West Hawai‘i, you can also call the Hawai‘i Island Food Basket's Kona Warehouse at (808) 322-1418.
Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island (BGCBI): Community Meal Support Initiative
Since the beginning of April, the BGCBI have produced, transported, and delivered over 30,000 meals to support children, kūpuna, peoples experiencing homelessness, and struggling families in our communities. In West Hawai‘i, BGCBI has worked closely with Hope Services to operate out of its Kona Kitchen. All meals are free of charge. For more information, please contact BGCBI directly at (808) 961-4436.
The Salvation Army – Kona Corps
The Salvation Army – Kona Corps (75-223 Kalani Street, Kailua-Kona, 96740) is providing food, emergency assistance, and other available services. Food pantry bags are distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm. Meals to go are provided Thursdays and Saturdays at 6pm. Emergency food bags are also available M-F by appointment. To make an appointment, please call (808) 440-1800.
Activate Hawai‘i Aid – Keiki Care Packs
Activate Hawai‘i Aid's first focus is to provide food assistance and establish community feeding sites to ensure keiki are getting ongoing food assistance during the extended school closures, and potentially beyond. Activate Hawai‘i Aid will be distributing emergency food boxes, which contain a two-week supply of non-perishable goods, fresh produce and activities such as coloring sheets. Recipients are notified by text or email the day before of when and where the pickup is in their neighborhood.
To RSVP for Keiki Care Packs, complete Activate Hawai‘i Aid's Community Pulse Survey by selecting "Request Assistance." If you or someone you know does not have internet access or needs help completing the survey by phone, please call the hotline at: (808) 793-5703 on Monday or Tuesday between 8am and 12pm for assistance. If you do not get an answer, your call will be returned.
Living Stones Church of Kona
Volunteers with Living Stones Church of Kona are providing services to those who require assistance with errands (prescriptions/groceries/mail pickup, etc.) and those experiencing hunger. To request assistance, please click here.
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou
For the Ka‘ū community, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou is providing fresh fish free of charge to kupuna and other families in need. To be placed on the wait-list, please contact Jana Kaniho at (808) 936-8949.
Hawai‘i Island Humane Society Pet Pantry – Kona
The Hawai‘i Island Humane Society's (HIHS) Community Pet Pantry serves pet parents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Generous donations have allowed HIHS to provide free dog, cat, puppy and kitten food (*as supplies allow) to those experiencing loss of income, senior citizens, immunocompromised or otherwise high-risk individuals, and front-line healthcare workers. For the safety of employees, food pick-ups are Monday – Friday from 8am-5:30pm by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment, please call HIHS at: (808) 329-1175.
*This list will be updated as new sites are confirmed or established.
For its COVID-19 response efforts, the County of Hawai‘i will receive $80 million in Federal CARES Act funding and has partnered with local organizations to provide direct relief programs for residents of Hawai‘i Island who have been impacted by the pandemic. If you or your business has been struggling financially due to COVID-19, please consider submitting applications for the following resources that may be relevant to your particular situation:
County of Hawai‘i Financial Navigator Program
This free program was established to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This service can help residents access available programs and services to manage income disruptions and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to triage personal financial issues, identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income, and make referrals to other services. The County of Hawai‘i will offer these Financial Navigator services in partnership with Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union and its non-profit arm. Call 808-933-6600 or visit: https://www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center/ to connect with a Navigator.
County of Hawai‘i Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program (RMAP)
Provides up to $2,000 per month (March-December 2020) for eligible households at or below 140% of the area median index (AMI) for eligible applicants who have had their income impacted due to COVID-19. For more information visit https://sites.google.com/view/hawaiicountyrmap.
County of Hawai‘i Non-Governmental Utilities Assistance Program
Provides up to $500 in utilities (gas, electric or non-government water) bill assistance for households at or below 100% of the area median index (AMI) who have had their income impacted due to COVID-19. For more information and to apply on-line at https://hceoc.net/.
County of Hawai‘i Holomua Hawaii Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund
Provides one-time reimbursement grants up to $10,000 to County businesses and nonprofit organizations for costs incurred from business interruption due to the COVID-19 emergency (beginning March 23, 2020). Read information before applying here: https://www.holomuahawaii.com/index.html.
Rapid Response Landlord Tenant Mediation Program
West Hawai‘i and Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center(s) are offering rapid-response mediation services for landlord-tenant relationships strained by COVID-19 conditions. Call (808) 885‑5525 or (808) 935-7844. For information visit the websites at: https://whmediation.org/our-services/landlord-tenant/ or https://hawaiimediation.org/landlordtenant/.
