COVID-19 RESOURCES
VACCINES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES 12+
ON ALL HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE TODAY!
Neighbor island residents ages 12 and over are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines across all islands. To book your appointment, click on this Vaccine Finder link. Just enter your zip code and it will locate a vaccine site closest to you.
COVID VACCINATION – If you or someone you know needs language translation assistance to register for a vaccination appointment, call (808) 586-8332 Monday thru Saturday from 7:45 AM till 8:00 PM.
Let’s all do our part to keep Hawaii safe and healthy!
We are all One ‘Ohana. We’re all in this together!
For those who are not battling hunger—may we hunger to serve and feed our hungry brothers and sisters. We also encourage all to continue practicing SAFER AT HOME-ACT WITH CARE measures to protect yourself and others. We pray for your continued health and safety, as we bring you updates on available resources throughout the state and our diocese.
FOOD ASSISTANCE:
Since most of our food pantries are managed by kupuna, many parishes have been forced to shift gears and look to substitute volunteers who are less vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus. To see a list of the current parish food pantries still in operation, see the Food Ministry Schedule During COVID-19.
For additional resources and information, please see the following:
- Meals on Wheels Deliveries for homebound seniors on each island
- Senior Food Box Program offers food box distribution to eligible low-income seniors
- Free Grab & Go Meals are available for all school children through June 2021
- Hawaii DOE Summer Meals available for all school children through July 2021
- Hawaii Island Food Basket Drive-Thru Distribution Schedule
- Hawaii Food Basket – East Hawaii Pantry Schedule
- Hawaii Food Basket – West Hawaii Pantry Schedule
- Hawaii Food Bank Kauai Food Assistance locations
- Maui Food Bank Distribution Sites for COVID-19
- Hawaii Food Bank Oahu Food Assistance locations
- Da Bux doubles SNAP dollars and discounts to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables
- Salvation Army Emergency Food Distributions
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP Application
The Hawaii Food Bank provides food access through many different programs and pantries on ‘Oahu and Kauai. On ‘Oahu, five of our parishes distribute Senior Food Boxes as part of the federally-funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Supplies are limited and all sites have waiting lists.
- Co-Cathedral of St Theresa, Kalihi
- Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
- Sacred Heart, Waianae
- St John the Baptist, Kalihi
- St Jude, Makakilo
If you are a qualified senior and live in any of the above areas, see attached CSFP application or contact Jennifer Schantz at the Food Bank at Jennifer@hawaiifoodbank.org, (808) 954-7868.
Catholic Charities Hawaii has played an important role with regards to COVID recovery and community sustainability. Their programs that serve seniors are exceptional, especially the many programs on ‘Oahu. CCH’s Benefits Enrollment Center includes assistance in applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) services. Like families and individuals who struggle with putting food on the table, older adults on a fixed income find themselves with limited access to healthy and nutritional food. Some of our seniors don’t know that they qualify for SNAP or while others may hesitate because of the complex and lengthy application process. If you or someone you know is at least 65 years young and qualified for Medicare, call Catholic Charities Senior Intake Line at (808) 527-4777 for information or assistance with applying for SNAP and/or other savings programs.
The State Executive Office on Aging thru their Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) created a COVID-19 Supplement Food Resource Guide which includes programs on all islands. Since the start of the pandemic, OSM highlighted a variety of food programs on different islands. As our economy slowly picks-up and people return to work, several volunteer programs have had to shift gears or discontinue all together. Because federal relief dollars have been spent out or possibly re-allocated, it’s always a good idea to call and confirm availability and schedules of operation/distribution. The resources are divided by county in the following order: City and County of Honolulu, Maui County, Hawaii County and Kauai County.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Funding to provide financial assistance to those impacted by COVID-19 is currently available through Catholic Charities Hawaii and HOPE Services Hawaii. We are very grateful for all who are working in solidarity at these agencies providing vital aid for rental and utility payments. For more information on rent relief and housing assistance please call 808-521-HELP or call the neighbor island numbers below:
- Kauai – Catholic Charities Hawaii: (808) 241-4673
- Oahu – Catholic Charities Hawaii: (808) 521-4357
- Maui County – Catholic Charities Hawaii: (808) 873-4673
- Hawaii Island – Catholic Charities Hawaii: (808) 961-7050
- Hawaii Island – HOPE Services Hawaii: (808) 935-3050
Oʻahu – With operations oversight by Aloha United Way, the City & County of Honolulu’s INDIVIDUAL COVID-19 HARDSHIP RELIEF PROGRAM for household and qualified childcare expenses is is now available with applications being received by: the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Hoʻala Assistance Program and 2-1-1, HAWAII COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND.For more information, visit C&C of Honolulu’s ONE OAHU webpage.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide eligible native Hawaiian beneficiaries ON ALL ISLANDS with rental assistance using Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) funds. Eligible native Hawaiians on DHHL’s Applicant Waiting List who have experienced a loss of income or job as a result of COVID-19 may receive assistance for the payment of their security deposit and/or rent for up to six months. Prescreening done via phone; please call 2-1-1 to determine your eligibility. This program is being administered by Aloha United Way.
® The KAHIAU COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (KCAP) administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement provides one time emergency financial assistance (up to $1,500) to native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing hardship due to an unexpected crisis. Funding is made possible through a grant awarded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Call (808) 784-4464 for more information or apply online.
Temporary Public Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic
Temporary public assistance during the pandemic is available on all islands. See the following links for assistance with child care subsidies and pre-school, applying for Med-Quest and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP also known as EBT or food stamps).
COVID-19 FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR ENERGY BILLS
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying their energy bills, help is available through the federally-funded LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). Thanks to additional CARES Act funds, qualifying low-income households may apply for the following types of assistance: Energy Credit (EC) or Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI). All benefits are paid as a one-time only credit paid directly to the customer’s utility company of choice, which includes Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Gas, and Kauai Island Utility.
Energy Credit (EC)
EC assists households that are not in crisis, but need help paying monthly bills. Applications are only accepted once a year during the month of June. The amount of credit varies each year and is based on the total number of people living in the house. Applicants must have an active electric account and are required to submit a current electric bill.
Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI)
ECI assists households in crisis that has been or will be disconnected; and have received Notice of Disconnection. Applications are accepted throughout the year; however, approvals are limited each month. The ECI credit is a fixed amount.
For eligibility information and a complete application packet, please visit the Department of Human Services website.
To Apply – Applicants must provide picture IDs for all adults, social security cards for everyone in the household, proof of income, and a current, original electric bill. PLEASE DO NOT submit applications or forms directly to the Department of Human Services. Instead, send them to the Community Action Agency on your island at the following contact information below:
| Oahu
o Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) HCAP Central: (808)-488-6834 |
Maui County
Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Maui Main Office: 808-249-2970 |
Hawaii Island
Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) Hilo: 961-2681 ext. 108 |
HAWAII PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE RESOURCE GUIDES
Hawaii Public Health Institute (HIPHI) has created an online hub with comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Guides for all counties across the state. Below are the resource guides for each county:
- City and County of Honolulu
- Maui County
- Hawaii County
- Kauai County
- Food Access
- Food Access part 2
- Housing
- Healthcare Services
- Healthy Families (emotional and mental health resources)
We hope your parishioners will find these resources helpful as our communities begin this time of recovery from job loss, salary cuts and food insecurity. We pray you and those you serve continue to be healthy and safe as we move forward defining our new normal.
Peace and Blessings,
Your Friends at the Office for Social Ministry