Committee forwards $6.48 million in Kilauea recovery grants after unanimous committee support

The Hawaii County Finance Committee voted to forward Resolution 459‑26 to the full council with a favorable recommendation after hearing multiple public comments in support. The resolution would authorize $6,478,873 in grant funds under the Kilauea Eruption Recovery Grant Program to local nonprofits for infrastructure repair, economic recovery and resilience work in Lower Puna.

Public testimony dominated the discussion. Deb Smith of the Cachyon and Hawaii Community Association in Kapoho said the association “lost every inch of our subdivision roads, which was over 7 miles,” and urged approval so members can restore access to roughly 150 private properties. Eileen Ohara, executive director of Malama O Puna, described awards for water‑system repairs and a shared‑use kitchen and said the HUD buyout program had purchased about 55% of properties in one area, leaving privately owned parcels that still need access. Jennifer Perry, the Hololio Road restoration project manager, and other community leaders described shovel‑ready infrastructure projects that would resume once Highway 137 reopens.

Douglas Namley, the county’s recovery officer (joining by Zoom), told the committee the application process ran in the fall, drew 45 applications totaling nearly $12 million in requests and produced a recommended package that targeted roughly $6 million in awards. He said roughly half of the funds were prioritized for capital investments, about two‑thirds of $2 million toward economic recovery, and the rest for other recovery and resilience needs.

Council member Kirkowitz moved an amendment (communication 718.1) to adjust the resolution exhibit so that four projects without current fiscal‑sponsor capacity could be squared up with alternative sponsors; recovery staff said they were working with the applicants and sponsors to finalize arrangements for about $501,000 in awards. The committee approved the amendment and then forwarded the amended resolution to the council with a favorable recommendation by recorded voice vote (7 in favor; two members absent).

Why it matters: The third and final round of Kilauea Recovery Grant awards is intended to close outstanding community projects begun after the 2018 eruption by funding road restorations, water‑system upgrades, shared commercial facilities and other local efforts that proponents say will restore access, strengthen food security and support small business recovery.

What’s next: The resolution as amended will go to the full Hawaii County Council for consideration and final action.