FEMA Individual Assistance Application Information and FREE Community Emergency Response Team Training

FEMA Individual Assistance Applications Due June 14

Since President Trump declared that the Kona Low was a federal disaster, there is now funding available from FEMA through its Individual Assistance Program. Here is a link to the briefing on FEMA and SBA disaster assistance that was held on April 22: FEMA and SBA Video Briefing

This is a link to the DisasterAssistance.Gov website.  Applications are due June 14

There is also information about small business disaster loans that are available for anyone who may have been affected. Here is a link to the information available from the Small Business Administration of America: Small Business Disaster Loan Application

FREE Community Emergency Response Team Round Robin Training – Saturday May 23 at the Manoa Valley Church

Be Ready Manoa is hosting a FREE Round Robin training session to learn practical skills that you can use to help yourself and your neighbors in the event of a major disaster. RSVP by emailing info@bereadymanoa.org to attend. Spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors.



Income and Other Tax Relief Information

IRS announces Federal Income tax relief for taxpayers impacted by severe storms in the State of Hawaii; various deadlines postponed to July 8, 2026

HI-2026-01, April 10, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in the State of Hawaii affected by flooding and mudslides due to severe storms that began on March 10, 2026. These taxpayers now have until July 8, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Following the disaster declaration issued by the State of Hawaii, individuals and households that reside or have business in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties qualify for tax relief. The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, for certain deadlines falling on or after March 10, 2026, and on or before July 8, 2026, taxpayers are granted additional time to file.
As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until July 8, 2026, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. The July 8, 2026, deadline applies to individual income tax returns and payments normally due on or after March 10, 2026. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after March 10, 2026, and before March 25, 2026, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by March 25, 2026. The July 8, 2026, deadline also applies to affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on April 30, 2026.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty. Under the recently enacted Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act (H.R. 1491), the postponement of a federal tax return deadline due to a federally declared disaster is treated as an extension for purposes of calculating the limit on a tax refund. This legislation gives affected taxpayers additional time to claim a refund or credit.The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS Special Services toll-free number at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Tax practitioners in the covered disaster area, who maintain records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline for taxpayers located outside the disaster area, may contact the IRS Special Services; if the practitioner maintains the necessary records of ten or more clients, please refer to Bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief for additional guidance.
More information is available on the IRS website.
Hawaii State Income Tax Relief for Taxpayers Affected by the March 2026 Kona Low Weather Event

As a result of the March 2026 Kona Low event which occurred throughout the State between March 10, 2026, and March 23, 2026, Governor Josh Green signed several proclamations, declaring the Kona Low event an emergency or disaster in accordance with section 127A-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). With the approaching State income tax deadline of April 20, 2026, the Department of Taxation (the “Department”) recognizes that taxpayers affected by the March 2026 Kona Low event (the “disaster”) may be unable to timely file their State income tax returns and make timely tax payments. 
Accordingly, the Department will consider requests by taxpayers adversely affected by the disaster to waive penalties and interest for failure to timely file returns and failure to timely pay income taxes for the period of April 20, 2026, to July 20, 2026, on a case-by-casebasis. Taxpayers entitled to relief will have until July 20, 2026, to file State income tax returns and make income tax payments without penalties and interest.

More information can be found in this link from the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation website.
Residents impacted by the Kona low storm encouraged to apply for real property tax relief

HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services is notifying residents whose properties were impacted by the Kona low storm that they may be eligible for a tax break.

A downloadable form is available at the Real Property Assessment Division website. Once completed, residents are asked to mail or hand deliver it to these addresses:

Department of Budget and Fiscal Services’ Honolulu Office: 842 Bethel Street, Basement, Honolulu, HI 96813Department of Budget and Fiscal Services’ Kapolei Office: 1000 Uluʻōhiʻa Street, Room 206, Kapolei, HI 96707

The form is fast and easy to fill out. Residents are asked to include supporting documentation, including photographs, repair estimates, and insurance claims.Real property tax remission means that City and County of Honolulu residents who had their real property damaged or destroyed as a result of a natural disaster could have property tax relief for that tax year. The deadline to file the form is June 30. Anyone with questions can visit one of the offices listed above or contact the Real Property Assessment Division at (808) 768-3799.

For more information, review the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu § 8-4.2


Mortgage Relief Options Available

HAWAIʻI HOMEOWNERS MAY QUALIFY FOR MORTGAGE RELIEF FOLLOWING KONA LOW STORM DISASTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2026

HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green issued a state of Hawai’i emergency proclamation due to the imminent threat of the first of two Kona Low weather systems. Following the widespread flooding and damage caused by the storms, President Donald Trump on April 8, 2026, issued a federal major disaster declaration for the state of Hawaiʻi, unlocking a range of critical resources and mortgage relief protections for affected homeowners.

With the presidential disaster declaration in effect, the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) advises that certain federal mortgage relief provisions are now triggered, which may include foreclosure moratoriums, forbearance options and the waiver of late fees. Homeowners impacted by the Kona Low storms are encouraged to contact their financial institution or mortgage servicer as soon as possible to determine which relief options are available to them.

Resources for Affected Homeowners

The following federal agencies and state resources are available to assist Hawaiʻi homeowners:

You can search if your mortgage loan is under FNMA here: https://yourhome.fanniemae.com/calculators-tools/loan-lookup

You can search if your mortgage loan is under FHLMC here:  https://myhome.freddiemac.com/resources/loanlookup

  • The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers housing counseling to any homeowner regardless of where they received their mortgage loan. Homeowners can contact the FHA housing counseling services at 1-800-569-4287 and the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320. Additional information can be found here: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/4703

  • The DCCA Division of Financial Institutions recommends that homeowners impacted by the disaster contact their financial institution (banks, depository financial services loan companies, credit unions) or mortgage servicer that handles their mortgage loan, for resources and guidance. Homeowners can search to determine who services their mortgage loan at the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems website located here:  https://www.mers-servicerid.org/sis/common/search

For questions or assistance, contact the Division of Financial Institutions at 1-844-808-3222 or at dfi@dcca.hawaii.gov. 



Flood Disaster Help And Other Resources

If not applicable to you/your family, please share this information with anyone who may have been affected by the floods in Manoa or any area on the island. There are different resources available – so choose the best for your or that person’s/family’s situation:

The Manoa Hub ‘Storm Closet’ is currently open on 2626 Anuenue Street. Stop by if you need FREE cleaning and other supplies.

Aloha United Way 211 has resources for those who have been affected by the floods across the State. Here is a link to their website: AUW211

HNL Alert is encouraging individuals who have been affected by the flood to fill out its voluntary survey to help City and State officials determine the various needs across the State. Here is a link to the website: HNL Alert Home Damage Assessment

The Environmental Protection Agency has important reference information about flood cleanup. Here is a link to their website: Flood Cleanup Reference Information

Storm Debris Pick Up: Unfortunately, there is no specific disaster related rubbish pick up scheduled for Manoa at this point. If you do have refuse from the storm that needs to be collected, please call the City’s Refuse Division at 808-768-3200 and see if they will accommodate your request.

Insurance can be very confusing, especially figuring out what kind of policy will cover damages. Here is a link to the Hawaii State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division website – there is a special section on insurance related to disasters when you scroll down: Insurance Division Consumer Resources

A recent Civil Beat article summarizes what help residents can get from FEMA if (operative word) there is a disaster declaration made. This is more for reference at this point as there are things that residents must do before they can request help from FEMA: How Residents Can Benefit From FEMA

Use this link to sign up for HNL Alert.



Emergency Preparedness References and Resources

Links

Websites



Manoa Recognized as Disaster Ready Community

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR J. LOGAN
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

VERN T. MIYAGI
ADMINISTRATOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE
August 24, 2017

BE READY MANOA RECEIVED DISASTER RESILIENT
RECOGNITION AT 9th ANNUAL MANOA VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCH MEETING

HONOLULU — The community group Be Ready Manoa was honored as a disaster resilient community yesterday by local, state, and federal officials during the 9th Annual Manoa Valley Neighborhood Security Watch Meeting. Be Ready Manoa received recognition as a disaster resilient community through the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP).

Distinguished guests that joined in honoring Be Ready Manoa’s designation as a disaster resilient community included:
• Representative Isaac Choy
• Vern Miyagi, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• Bruce E. Oliveira, Community Programs Director, State of Hawaii Department of Defense
• Kevin Richards, Natural Hazards Planner, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu City Councilmember
• Crystal van Beelen, Disaster Preparedness Officer, Department of Emergency Management
• John Bravender, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Be Ready Manoa is the fifth community to achieve this recognition. Waimanalo, Kailua, Aina Haina and Joint Base Pearl Harbor are the other communities.

HHARP is a statewide program designed to guide communities through a disaster preparedness process that will empower them before, during, and after natural disasters such as hurricane, flash flood, and tsunami. Completion of HHARP includes presentations on local hazards and guidance in creating a community emergency plan.
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Media Contact:
Arlina Agbayani
Public Relations Officer
808-620-5423

Mahalo,
Arlina Agbayani
Public Relations Officer
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
3949 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Cellular: 808-620-5423



The Mānoa Disaster Preparedness Team is No More

Wait. What happened?  Not to worry.  The Mānoa Disaster Preparedness Team has changed its name to Be Ready Mānoa.  Same people, same mission.  We are now officially a corporation (unfortunately NOT tax exempt) of community volunteers.  The official information is:

Be Ready Mānoa
P.O. Box 61623
Honolulu, HI  96822
email – info@bereadymanoa.org
Website – bereadymanoa.org

Lots of things are happening.  You may notice  our new logo above thanks to Courtney Hara a UH senior in graphic design.  Also, plans for the Be Ready Mānoa community fair in September are going full speed ahead.  Sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, entertainment and much more are lined up.  Plans are to stimulate interest by involving local schools and school kids in disaster preparedness and education.

Stay tuned for future developments including the unveiling of our super hero mascot “Disaster Blaster”.