We are all facing a worldwide public health emergency and an economic crisis requiring all of our attention and effort. In my actions in Congress, I have focused on mobilizing and targeting maximum national resources to critical national and Hawai’i-specific impacts and on working with my government and community partners throughout Hawai’i to assure those resources address our needs.
In doing so, I have followed my belief that in fighting through a crisis such as this the best way to avoid destructive uncertainty and fear is to share as much information as broadly and often as possible. To that end, this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) webpage provides you with the latest information on my actions to help our Hawai‘i, key resources from my office and other government resources that can help you and your family and friends, and the latest medical information on COVID-19.
Here are some key resources to address your concerns and needs. Links to additional resources are included below as well for your consideration.
General Resource Guide from My Office
- Informational handout about medical care, prevention techniques, support for workers (including the unemployed), support for small businesses, food assistance program for students, guidance for schools and childcare centers, travel assistance, mental health assistance, income taxes submission changes, the general assistance my office can provide to you and more.
Recovery Rebates (Cash Payments)
- A Frequently Asked Questions document on the individual rebates Congress authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
- Economic Impact Payment Portal: Online tool for people to obtain a status update for their economic impact payment and provide their banking information so that they can obtain their payment via direct deposit.
- Non-Filers Portal: Online tool to help certain nonfilers obtain their full payment via a direct deposit. This portal is for those who (1) had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019; (2) were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019 and didn't plan to file a return; or (3) were a Supplemental Security Income or Veterans Affairs beneficiary with a dependent child under the age of 17 who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and want to add $500 per child onto the $1,200 automatic payment. After providing this information, you won’t need to take any additional action to receive a cash payment via direct deposit.
Unemployment Assistance
Small Business Assistance
- Overview of Key Programs: Summary of COVID-19 small business assistance programs prepared by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans:
- Tax Relief: Summary of small business COVID-19 tax relief prepared by the IRS.
- For more information on SBA programs as they relate to faith based organizations, please visit https://bit.ly/2ycJFCL.
- Technical Assistance: For help accessing SBA’s assistance programs, determining what assistance programs are right for your business and obtaining general assistance, you can contact the following organizations:
Small Business Administration - Hawai‘i District Office
Phone: (808) 541-2990
Email: hawaiigeneral@sba.gov
Website: https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/hi/honolulu
Hawai‘i Small Business Development Centers
Phone: (808) 945-1430
Email: info@hisbdc.org
Website: https://www.hisbdc.org
Patsy Mink Women’s Business Development Center
Phone: (808) 695-2635
Website: https://www.mcblhawaii.org
Hawai‘i Minority Business Development Agency
Phone: (808) 956-0850
Website: https://www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/honolulu
SCORE Hawai‘i
Phone: (808) 547-2700
Website: https://hawaii.score.org
Veterans Business Centers
Phone: (808) 988-1236
Email: vboc@hawaii.edu
Website: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/vboc
- If you own a small business in Hawai‘i struggling from the impacts of COVID-19 and require assistance, you can also contact my Honolulu Office at (808) 650-6688 or submit a casework request here.
Congressional E-Newsletters
- My periodic e-newsletter updates on various COVID-19 related information, congressional actions and more. To subscribe and receive this updates in your inbox directly, please subscribe here.
Additional Resources
I also stress that my offices in both D.C. and Honolulu remain open and my staff and I are on the job full time. Although we are mostly teleworking and cannot generally meet personally, we are still fully available to talk and assist you and your members with any questions and needs, especially related to COVID-19. Please contact us anytime through my contact page or my Honolulu Office at (808) 650-6688.
Finally, if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have developed symptoms such as a fever with a cough and difficulty breathing, please contact your doctor (initially by telephone, not visiting) or the Hawai‘i Department of Health at (808) 586-4586 as soon as possible. If you are a health care provider in Hawai‘i with COVID-19-related concern, such as access to personal protective equipment, please contact my Honolulu Office at (808) 650-6688 directly for assistance.
I remain at your service and wish you and yours the very best as we all get through this together.
