Stronger Hawaiʻi is HCF's statewide initiative supporting our islands through every phase of disaster. Providing flexible support and community-led solutions, it brings together trusted partners and resources to help communities prepare, recover, and foster resilience while reminding our neighbors that they are not alone.

RECENT DISASTERS & GRANTEES

 

HURRICANE NOLO

Tropical Storm Nolo developed into a hurricane as it neared the Hawaiian Islands at the end of September, prompting HCF to deploy funding in preparation of potential severe weather impacts. While it did not make direct landfall, Nolo brought heavy rainfall, flash flooding, road closures and high surf to some of the islands.

Tropical storm

GRANTEES

As of Sept. 23, 2026, HCF has made the following awards from the Stronger Hawai'i Initiative.

  • Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance (Hawaiʻi Island) — $10,000 to provide food, water, emergency supplies, and animal assistance ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo for rural households on Hawaiʻi Island.
  • HOPE Services (Hawaiʻi Island) — $10,000 to connect vulnerable and houseless residents on Hawaiʻi Island with emergency supplies, resources, and preparedness support ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo.
  • Nā‘ālehu Resilience Hub, fiscally sponsored by Vibrant Hawai‘i (Hawaiʻi Island) — $10,000 to prepare Nāʻālehu residents for Tropical Storm Nolo through a community hub providing food, water, propane, and other essential resources.
  • Living Pono Project (Maui) — $5,000 to support preparedness and response efforts in anticipation of Tropical Storm Nolo on Maui through emergency communications equipment, generators, water pumps, and essential supplies for vulnerable communities.
  • Maui Rapid Response, fiscally sponsored by Maui Grassroots Collective Inc. (Maui) — $10,000 to help houseless and vulnerable residents on Maui prepare for Tropical Storm Nolo through outreach, essential supplies, and connections to critical resources and services.

HURRICANE LOWELL

On Sept. 7, Hurricane Lowell severely impacted the western Hawaiian Islands of Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i, resulting in catastrophic infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, buildings and homes, as well as widespread power outages across Kauaʻi County. It also impacted West O‘ahu, Lānaʻi and areas of Hawai‘i Island, where recovery efforts from Tropical Cyclone Lala remain ongoing.

People unloading supplies from a truck on a beach

GRANTEES

As of Sept. 18, 2026, HCF has made the following awards to Hurricane Lowell grantees from the Stronger Hawai'i Initiative

  • Aloha Diaper Bank (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to provide diapers, wipes, pull-ups, and other essential supplies for Kauaʻi families impacted by Hurricane Lowell through Aloha Diaper Bank's community distribution network.
  • Aloha United Way (Kauaʻi) — $20,000 to connect Kauaʻi residents with critical information, resources, and support through the 211 Hawaiʻi helpline in partnership with Kauaʻi United Way.
  • American Red Cross (Kaua'i) — $50,000 to support displaced residents through emergency shelter operations, meals, health services, damage assessments, and coordinated recovery efforts with county and emergency management partners.
  • Chef Hui (Kauaʻi) — $30,000 to provide community meals and coordinate food distribution and essential support services in North Kauaʻi through a partnership with Waipā Foundation and Nā Maka Onaona.
  • Chef Hui (West O'ahu) — $10,000 to expand access to meals and food resources for Oʻahu residents affected by Hurricane Lowell, particularly in West Oʻahu.
  • Child & Family Services (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to provide critical supplies and assistance for Kauaʻi residents impacted by Hurricane Lowell through CFS Family Centers in Waimea and Kapaʻa.
  • Hale Halawai (Kauaʻi) — $5,000 to expand access to gas assistance, emergency supplies, and essential resources for vulnerable families and households on Kauaʻi, with a focus on North Shore communities.
  • Hanalei Initiative (Kaua'i) — $10,000 to provide fuel and coordinate the sourcing and distribution of emergency supplies for North Shore communities on Kauaʻi impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
  • Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi) — $100,000 to strengthen food distribution efforts for communities across Kauaʻi, ensuring access to essential resources during ongoing power and communications disruptions.
  • Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi County) — $10,000 to coordinate the procurement, delivery, and staging of preparedness food resources for vulnerable families and households on Kauaʻi through a network of seven emergency partner agencies.
  • Iwikua (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to establish a community hub providing internet access, device charging, and connectivity support for Westside residents impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
  • Kākoʻo Lāhui (Kauaʻi County) — $2,000 to support vulnerable families and households on Ni‘ihau and West Kaua'i through the procurement and delivery of preparedness resources donated from O'ahu.
  • Kākoʻo Lāhui (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to establish a community-led hub in Wainiha providing essential supplies and basic needs for rural and isolated households, especially those with kūpuna.
  • Kauaʻi Economic Development Board (Kauaʻi) — $40,000 to coordinate the procurement and distribution of emergency resources and supplies across community organizations, including commercial ice, for communities across Kauaʻi impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
  • Kauaʻi Economic Development Board (Kauaʻi) — $25,000 to address gaps in emergency resources and supplies across Kauaʻi through the coordinated distribution of generators, commercial ice, and other critical support for communities affected by Hurricane Lowell.
  • Kauaʻi Humane Society (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to maintain animal care services and shelter operations through emergency power support, food and supply purchases, and other essential resources.
  • Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank (Kauaʻi) — $25,000 to coordinate food distribution and emergency resources, including water and meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), for communities across Kauaʻi.
  • Keala Foundation (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to coordinate road clearing and debris removal efforts, helping restore access to communities across Kauaʻi's South Shore and surrounding areas.
  • Kumano I Ke Ala (Kaua'i) — $10,000 to conduct community-led assessments that identify emerging needs, inform resource coordination, and support community-driven recovery efforts.
  • Laulima no nā ʻOhana (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to provide essential support services for kūpuna impacted by Hurricane Lowell, including meal delivery, transportation, household assistance, and access to critical supplies.
  • Mālama Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi) — $50,000 to help farmers and ranchers across Kauaʻi recover by providing emergency resources and addressing losses to agricultural infrastructure, equipment, crops, and livestock.
  • Nā Maka Onaona (Kauaiʻi) — $10,000 to strengthen community-based recovery efforts in Hāʻena and Wainiha through coordinated support services, resource navigation, and assistance for impacted residents.
  • Nourish Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi) — $15,000 to restore meal delivery and essential support services for kūpuna in impacted communities by reestablishing operations and replacing critical equipment and supplies.
  • Project Vision Hawaiʻi (Kauaʻi County) — $10,000 to provide preparedness resources, supply distribution, and mobile outreach for vulnerable, houseless residents on Kauaʻi ahead of Hurricane Lowell.
  • Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to provide emergency meals and essential resources for residents near the Hanapēpē location.
  • Salvation Army Lihue Corps (Kauaʻi) — $10,000 to provide emergency meals and essential resources for residents near the Līhuʻe location.

TROPICAL CYCLONE LALA

On Aug. 16, Tropical Cyclone Lala brought heavy rain, flooding, and damaging winds to Hawaiʻi Island, causing power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. The storm also affected portions of Maui and Oʻahu, with affected communities continuing their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

People unloading supplies

GRANTEES

As of Sept. 15, 2026, HCF has made the following awards to Tropical Cyclone Lala grantees from the Stronger Hawai'i Initiative

  • Chacah Broadcasting Network (Hawaiʻi Island) — $27,800 to restore and strengthen critical radio communications across Kaʻū, Pāhala, and Discovery Harbor, helping residents access timely information and emergency alerts.
  • Community First Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻi Island) — $249,000 to provide coordinated recovery support and direct community assistance programming following Tropical Cyclone Lala, including financial assistance for households and funding for community-based organizations.
  • Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance (Hawaiʻi Island) — $50,000 to provide emergency animal assistance and essential resources to pets, livestock, and the communities caring for them following Tropical Storm Lala.
  • Hawai’i Island Art Alliance (Hawaiʻi Island) — $10,000 to support recovery and well-being through programming for returning students and school staff at Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School following Tropical Storm Lala.
  • Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (Hawaiʻi Island) — $20,000 to replace critical veterinary supplies lost during Tropical Cyclone Lala and strengthen emergency response capacity for future disasters.
  • Hawaiian Council (Hawaiʻi Island) — $100,000 to provide emergency water resources and other related response measures for local ranching operations impacted by Tropical Cyclone Lala, supporting a vital source of employment and economic stability for local households now in recovery.
  • HOPE Services Hawai‘i (Hawai‘i Island) — $10,000 for food & supplies; water; emergency shelter; transportation; communication / info sharing; financial assistance.
  • Hui Mauli Ola (Hawaiʻi Island) — $25,000 to provide Hawaiian healing arts programming in partnership with Moku o Keawe Nā Kūpuna, fostering healing and recovery for vulnerable families on Hawaiʻi Island.
  • Kākoʻo Lāhui (Hawaiʻi Island) — $5,000 to build community resilience in Wood Valley through the development of a community hub for residents facing limited access due to road conditions.
  • Kākoʻo Lāhui (Hawaiʻi Island) — $10,000 to coordinate essential resources and support services across community hubs in Pāhala, Waiohinu, Wood Valley, Nāʻālehu, and Kaʻū, strengthening access to assistance for rural and isolated households affected by Tropical Cyclone Lala.
  • KEY Project (O'ahu) — $50,000 to strengthen community response efforts in the Koʻolau Region, including feeding programs and access to power and internet following storm damage and extended outages.
  • Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū (Hawaiʻi Island) — $50,000 to remove storm debris and oversized boulders, and restore agricultural infrastructure, helping reopen a Hawaiian language and ʻāina-based learning program serving keiki, makua, and kūpuna in Kaʻū following Tropical Storm Lala.
  • Kids Hurt Too (O'ahu) — $50,000 to advance community-led response efforts across the Waiʻanae Coast through a network of local partnerships connecting residents to food, essential supplies, navigation support, and outreach.
  • Kupu (Oʻahu) — $16,800 to support hot meals preparation by the Kupu Culinary Program in Wai'anae Coast and across O'ahu for communities impacted by widespread power outages.
  • Makai Foundation (Maui County) — $7,500 to provide essential resources, supplies, and recovery support to vulnerable households in Maui affected by both the Kona Low storm and Tropical Storm Lala. 
  • Malama Kula (Maui County) — $10,000 to support debris removal and cleanup efforts across Upcountry Maui following storm damage, including green waste disposal services for impacted communities.
  • The Food Basket Inc. (Hawaiʻi Island) — $100,000 to support the distribution of water, ready-to-eat food, and non-perishable essentials to affected communities across Hawaiʻi Island.
  • The Salvation Army Hilo Corps (Hawai'i Island) — $50,000 to support emergency feeding operations and ensure affected residents have access to meals and basic necessities.
  • Vibrant Hawai‘i (Hawai‘i Island) — $10,000 to assess and support immediate community needs and community-led response efforts.
  • Vibrant Hawai‘i (Statewide) — $250,000 for financial assistance, food & supplies; water; communication / info sharing; cleanup & recovery.

KONA LOW STORMS

In early March 2026, a series of Kona Low storms swept across Hawaiʻi, bringing historic flooding to communities across the state. Maui and Molokaʻi experienced some of the most severe impacts, while Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island also sustained significant damage. Many residents continue the long journey of rebuilding homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

Truck on a beach

GRANTEES

As of July 20, 2026, HCF has made the following awards to Kona Low storm grantees from the Stronger Hawai'i Fund

  • Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi — $247,500 for Agricultural Disaster Response & Recovery (Statewide)
  • Aloha MAP FS: Friends of the Future — $10K for Emergency Response (Hawaiʻi Island)
  • Aloha United Way
    • $150,000 to support operations of the 211-call center (Statewide)
    • $250,000 for Disaster Case Management Bridge Grants (Statewide)
  • Catholic Charities — $100K for Emergency Response (Oʻahu County)
  • ‘Elepaio Services — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (City & County of Honolulu)
  • Family Promise Hawai‘i — $50K for Housing Stabilization & Disaster Case Management (Oʻahu County, North Shore)
  • Hana Farmer's Market, FS: Hawai'i Farmers Union Foundation — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County-Molokaʻ)
  • Ho‘aka Mana — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County - Moloka‘i)
  • Holomua Outreach FS: Maui Grassroots Collective — $10K for Flood Response & Environmental Mitigation (Maui County/Molokaʻi)
  • Holomua Outreach — $30K for Roof Repair & Recovery Support (Maui County, Molokaʻi)
  • Hope Services — $10k for Emergency Response Efforts (Hawai‘i County)
  • Kauai VOAD — $6,900 for Community Preparedness
  • KEY Project — $10k for Emergency Response Hub at KEY Project (City & County of Honolulu)
  • Kilo'au Foundation — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts — Moloka‘i Cares (Maui County-Moloka‘i)
  • Lāhui Foundation — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (City & County of Honolulu)
  • Living Pono Project — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County)
  • Mākaha Community Center — $10K for Flood Response & Community Coordination (Oʻahu County)
  • Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. — $10K for Immediate Assistance & Needs Assessment (Maui County)
  • Maui Grassroots Collective — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County)
  • Maui Rapid Response FS: Maui Grassroot Collective — $10K for Materials Support for Flood-Impacted Households (Maui County)
  • Maui United Way — $10K for Emergency Housing Bridge Support (Maui County/Molokaʻi)
  • Our Hawaii Foundation: Lahaina Strong — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County)
  • Our Kupuna — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County - Maui)
  • PATCH — $110,000 for Child Care Provider Flood Recovery & Stabilization (Statewide)
  • Red Lightning
    • $82,620 for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County)
    • $25,000 for Flood Response & Mitigation (Maui County/Molokaʻi)
    • $74,144 for Molokaʻi Flood Response & Mitigation (Cost Extension) (Maui County/Molokaʻi)
  • Sust‘āinable Moloka‘i — $10K for Emergency Response Efforts (Maui County)
  • Vibrant Hawai‘i
    • $65K for DARCI Disaster Intake & Coordination Platform (Hawaiʻi County/Oʻahu)
    • $10k for Intermediary Support to Ko‘olau Resilience Network/North Shore (City & County of Honolulu)
    • $5K for Storm Mitigation & Preparedness (Maui County/Molokaʻi)
    • $50K for Emergency Response (Hawai'i County)
  • Wahiawa Center for Community Health — $10K for Mobile Health Services (Oʻahu County)

 

HCF approaches disaster relief in four phases because rebuilding lives and communities doesn’t happen overnight. Your generosity supports the full journey, from preparedness and response through recovery and resilience.

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