Maui Mahi'ai Disaster Relief Grant Program

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED!

In August 2023, the Maui community faced a devastating wildfire that left its mark on the island's food systems. In the wake of this tragedy, the Molokai community swiftly responded with compassion and unity. Our families rallied together, loading boats with supplies and heading to Maui to support our brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins. Others in the Molokai community volunteered their time and efforts by going to Maui to provide aid and relief to a strained support system. Recognizing the need for ongoing assistance, Sustʻāinable Molokai initiated its own efforts to aid these affected farmers and producers.
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The Sustʻāinable Molokai Mobile Market became a lifeline, connecting these affected Maui farmers with our Molokai community. We purchased local Maui produce and products, fortifying resilience, promoting food sovereignty, and supporting these farmers in their journey to recovery. As media attention diminishes, our commitment remains steadfast. Today, we extend this commitment through the Maui Mahiʻai Disaster Relief Grant Program. The agricultural systems on Maui are still recovering from both direct and indirect impacts from the 2023 fires. The Maui Mahiʻai Disaster Relief Grant Program is designed to provide both educational opportunities to Maui producers aiming to increase natural disaster resiliency and protect Maui’s food source and the markets that distribute fresh produce. View list of other program awardees here.

About the Program:

The Maui Mahiʻai Disaster Relief Grant Program offers up to $22,500 in grant funds for 10 small farmers and ranchers on the island of Maui who have been affected by August 2023 Maui wildfires. These grants are designed to provide emergency disaster funding and education and may be used to directly increase agricultural resilience against natural disasters and to assist in recovering market losses.
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Applications have closed.

For more info, please contact Niles James, Sustʻāinable Molokai Food Hub Manager
Niles@sustainablemolokai.org
Ph: (808) 292-5142

Grant Project Guidelines:

Maui Mahiʻai Disaster Relief Grants are designed to provide emergency disaster funding and education for Maui farmers and ranchers affected by the 2023 wildfires. Grants may be used to directly increase agricultural resilience against natural disasters and to assist in recovering market losses.

Awardees are required to have an initial on-site assessment with Sustʻāinable Molokai staff. For more significant impact, awardees will have continued support through consultation (onsite and online) with applicable education or technical assistance, resources for equipment (such as proper greenhouse insect netting vs. greenhouse plastic film), materials, and other resources needed, along with the supplies. Awardees will be required to submit a vendor supply list.

Final Report

A final report is required within 60 days after the completion of the grant project. Final reports summarize the project’s activities and evaluate the project’s ability to meet the desired objectives and outcomes. Photos will be required as part of the final report.

Eligibility:

Grants will be made to Sole Proprietors, Corporations, Partnerships or LLCs with less than 10 employees. Non-profit or not-for-profit organizations are not eligible to receive this grant.
Shall be a citizen of the United States of America or a legally registered alien and a resident within the grant areas of Maui.
Must have been in business on or before January 2023.
Must have been impacted by August 2023 Maui wildfires and sustained significant loss.

Required Documentation to Submit:

Farm Needs Narrative
Budget Proposal & Justification (Download template here)
Copy of Valid Photo ID
Copy of Original GE License (Registered with the State of Hawaii no later than January 2023)
Copy of 2023 State Tax Form N-11
Copy of Lease Agreement or Tax Assessment for 2023

Eligible Expenses:

Funds may be used for:
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Tool and supply replacement.
Infrastructure repair and maintenance; including fencing, irrigation, plant nurseries, agricultural buildings, greenhouses and hoop houses.
Marketing/Outreach efforts to establish new accounts.
Seeds, plant starts, root stock.
Education/Workshops around improved agricultural resilience.
Additional farm upgrades that would help improve natural disaster resiliency; such as but not limited to windbreaks, fire suppression, innovative strategies, irrigation systems, and new technologies before, during, and after disasters.

SUSTʻĀINABLE
MOLOKAI