Resources
Updated: 6/15/21
Below are a list of resources available. Please visit this page often as we will be updating it regularly as more resources become available.
*Updates:
- City and County of Honolulu Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Wait List is open from Monday, June 14, 2021, 7:45 a.m. through Friday, June 18, 2021, 4:30 p.m
- State ban on evictions continues through August 6, 2021 – 6/7/21
- Rent, Mortgage, and Utility relief programs added (under “Rent & Mortgage” section below) – 6/3/21
Action Alerts
CALL TO ACTION: Hawaiʻi’s Residents Need Electric Bill Forgiveness
Hawaiian Electric earned more in 2020 than any other year, despite thousands of unpaid bills. This shows that the utility can afford to forgive the bills, no questions asked.
The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has extended the utility shutoff moratorium through May 31, 2021. It is important to note that this extension is for all utilities EXCEPT wireless telecommunication services.
The Sierra Club of Hawai’i is calling on residents to sign their petition calling on CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company, Mr. Scott Seu, to offer bill forgiveness. Sign the petition here.
Financial Resources
Local 5’s COVID-19 Hardship Application
Hardship assistance for Hotel & Travel Industry Federal Credit Union Members: https://www.htifcu.com/coronavirus-update/
Financial counseling available to current Hotel and Travel Industry FCU members. If you want to become a credit union member you may open an account with $25. You can call the Credit Union, M-F from 8am-4pm (808) 942-5115 ext 230. They are working remotely so please leave a message and someone will get back to you.
Healthcare Resources
Have you lost your healthcare coverage or are about to lose it? Read this detailed PDF flyer we created with guidance on healthcare coverage.
Are you eligible for no-cost health insurance? (AlohaCare)
Lost Health Insurance due to COVID-19 (Hawaii Helps)
For Maui residents – assistance from Kokua Services Partnership with applying for healthcare
List of community partners for in-person assistance with applications for Medicaid or HealthCare.gov
Food & Grocery Assistance
Hawai’i Food Bank – Emergency Food Assistance
SNAP Benefits Application (Download Fillable PDF)
The State Department of Human Services created these flyers with information on applying for food assistance (SNAP), Med-QUEST health insurance, and childcare subsidies:
- Oahu (PDF)
- Maui (PDF)
- Kauai (PDF)
- Hawaii Island (PDF)
50% discounts for SNAP cardholders at Times Super Market – Any persons receiving SNAP (Food Stamps/EBT) benefits are eligible to receive 50% of locally grown produce at participating grocery stores when they present DA BUX card. Most current SNAP holders should have automatically received a Double Up Food Bucks card in the mail sent by DHS. If you have not, please contact Latonya Smith at (808)201-3937 x 14.
If your child was getting free or reduced-price school lunch during the school year, you are eligible for food purchasing assistance. Read more here.
Rent & Mortgage
Emergency Proclamation on State ban on evictions is extended through August 6, 2021
City and County of Honolulu Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Wait List is open from Monday, June 14, 2021, 7:45 a.m. through Friday, June 18, 2021, 4:30 p.m
Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Relief Programs
- City & County of Honolulu Rent and Utility Relief Program – Applications are paused, but you can sign up for email notifications on their website for when the program reopens.
- The Rental and Utility Relief Program will reopen on Monday, June 7th at 6pm. We have two Local 5 staff dedicated to helping process your applications. Go to http://oneoahu.org/renthelp for more info.”
- Kaua‘i 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program – Applications are open
- Maui County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MERA) – Applications are open
- Hawaii County Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Applications are open
- Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Rent Relief Program (DHHLRRP) – Applications are open for those on the DHHL Waiting List
Landlord/Tenant FAQ’s from Consumer Protection (3/30/20)
State Eviction Moratorium extended to June 8, 2021
Templates for letters to landlords or lenders
Domestic Violence Resources
All domestic violence shelters in Hawaii are open as usual during COVID-19. Domestic violence victims are NOT required to stay at home during COVID-19 if home is unsafe.
See the list below of the domestic violence shelter hotlines for each island. You can also download these flyers to share with your loved ones or post on social media (Flyer 1, Flyer 2, Flyer 3):
- Oahu: 808-266-7233
- Hilo: 808-959-8864
- Kona: 808-322-7233
- Kauai: 808-245-6362
- Maui: 808-579-9581
- Lanai: 808-563-0216
- Molokai: 808-567-6888
Mental Health Resources
Employee Assistance of the Pacific
24/7 hotlines:
- If you are experiencing an emergency or believe you are a danger to yourself and/or others, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate assistance.
- Crisis Text Line – text ALOHA to 741‐741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1‐800‐273‐TALK (8255)
- Crisis Line of Hawai‛i – 832‐3100 on O‛ahu; 1‐800‐753‐6879 on neighbor islands
Activities to promote well-being
15-minute morning meditations: 6 AM live and recorded
Free yoga classes: Iyengar Yoga Honolulu, Open Space Yoga, CorePower Yoga
Stay Fit, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy
Mindfulness during Challenging Times
Five minutes of daily poetry on The Slowdown
Art therapy sessions creating daily connections
Compilation of streamed concerts
Free Things That Weren’t Free Before Coronavirus
Free audiobooks for children (multiple languages)
Free online virtual visit to 17 museums in Europe (in French)
Free online books from Cambridge Publishing until end of May
Online Broadway Musicals, all FREE
Live nature network with webcams around the world
Stream the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s performances for free
Student Loan Relief
Childcare for Essential Workers
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Relief Information
Immigration Resources
In-person citizenship workshops are on hold at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need citizenship assistance, please contact The Legal Clinic at (808) 737-3330.
The Legal Clinic – free immigration legal services to financially-eligible immigrants and COFA* citizens in Hawaii
Jobs & Training