Hawaii Downtown Hilo Fire - SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SBA Newsroom

Published April 3rd, 2026

Detected April 3rd, 2026

Summary

The SBA announced Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) up to $2 million for small businesses and private nonprofits in Hawaii affected by the Downtown Hilo Fire that occurred November 30, 2025. Loans carry interest rates of 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years and no payments due for 12 months. Applications must be submitted by January 4, 2027.

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What changed

The SBA issued disaster declaration HI-20012-01 in response to a request from Hawaii Governor Green, making Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits in all Hawaii counties. The loan program provides working capital financing up to $2 million to cover operating expenses including fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable that the business could have paid had the disaster not occurred. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are excluded except for aquaculture enterprises.

Eligible entities should apply online at sba.gov/disaster, by phone at (800) 659-2955, or via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The application deadline is January 4, 2027. Loans do not require physical damage to the business—economic injury alone qualifies. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition, with repayment terms extending up to 30 years at low fixed interest rates.

What to do next

Submit EIDL application online at sba.gov/disaster, by phone at (800) 659-2955, or by email before January 4, 2027
Document all economic losses and operating expenses caused by the Downtown Hilo Fire to support loan application
Ensure business meets eligibility criteria: small business or private nonprofit with disaster-related economic injury in Hawaii counties

Source document (simplified)

Disaster news release
HI-20012-01

SBA Offers Relief to Hawaii Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Downtown Hilo Fire

Economic injury loans available for working capital needs Published on

April 3, 2026

by Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced low interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Hawaii who sustained economic losses caused by the Downtown Hilo Fire occurring Nov. 30, 2025. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Green on April 1, 2026.

The disaster declaration covers the Hawaii counties of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kalawao, Kauai and Maui.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based organizations with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.

“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return economic injury applications to the SBA is Jan. 4, 2027.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Related programs: Disaster