SBA Announces Low Interest Disaster Loans for Hawaii Drought-Affected Businesses
Summary
The SBA announced Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Hawaii counties affected by drought beginning January 1. Loans up to $2 million are available at 4% interest for small businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years and no payments due for 12 months after the first disbursement. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are not eligible except for small aquaculture enterprises. Applications must be submitted by December 10.
“The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms of up to 30 years.”
What changed
The SBA has activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for five Hawaii counties following a drought declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million at subsidized rates to cover working capital needs such as fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable. Interest accrual and payments are deferred for 12 months after the first loan disbursement, with repayment terms extending up to 30 years. Agricultural producers generally are excluded from this program.
Affected Hawaii businesses and nonprofits experiencing economic losses from drought should apply by the December 10 deadline through sba.gov/disaster, by phone at (800) 659-2955, or via email. The loan program does not require physical damage to qualify—economic injury alone is sufficient. Applicants should document their drought-related losses and cash flow impacts to support their loan amount request.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News release
HI-20013-01
SBA Offers Relief to Hawaii Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
Low interest disaster loans now available Published on
April 20, 2026
by Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Hawaii to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning Jan. 1.
The 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 small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs — including faith‑based organizations — with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after 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.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 10.
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
Media contacts
Corey Williams Email corey.williams@sba.gov Phone 916-735-1500
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