Get health, financial support through HSTA and our partners
Updated: Nov. 13, 2023
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s partners are offering resources and support to HSTA Maui Chapter members affected by the recent wildfires. Please bookmark this resource page, as it will be updated with new information as it becomes available. The quick link for this page is hsta.org/HSTAfiresupport.
HSTA fire relief aid
The HSTA will provide a second and final relief check to any member and any HSTA-Retired member who cannot live in their primary residence on Maui because of damage or destruction by the Maui wildfires. The deadline to apply for the second round of payments is Friday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. Applicants will be asked to attach documents substantiating their losses.
The remaining HSTA Maui fire relief funds will be distributed by the end of the year to those who lost their homes or those who cannot live in their homes. The exact amount of the individual disbursements will be determined based on how many donations remain in our accounts on Dec. 8.
You can also download a fillable PDF here and email your completed application to mauirelief@hsta.org.
Any new Bargaining Unit 05 member this school year can sign up to be a member and have access to these funds. Non-members would not qualify.
Federal disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center assists individuals with state and federal recovery benefits. Individuals and business owners can apply with FEMA:
- In-person at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului, HI, 96732.
- Online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
- Call 1-800-621-FEMA.
Remain vigilant of fraud and scammers. If you or someone you know witnesses a FEMA-related fraud, such as a phone call from someone claiming to work for FEMA asking for Social Security numbers or bank information, please report it to FEMA at 1-866-223-0814.
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center assists business owners, homeowners, and renters with SBA recovery programs. Individuals can apply for an SBA loan by registering with FEMA here. After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners who would like to apply for SBA loans can find more information here.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat individuals fairly. They can help protect personal finances during and after a disaster or emergency. Learn more about their programs.
Federal Housing Administration
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has housing counselors that can inform homeowners of their options before making any decisions, regardless of where they received their mortgage loan. Homeowners can contact the FHA housing counseling services at 1-800-569-4287 and the FHA Resource Center at 1-800- 304-9320.
Health care
Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center
- Location: Ākoakoa Place just below Lahaina Civic Center
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- No appointment or insurance necessary.
- Services offered: Wound care and first aid, prescription refills, mental health services, general care, limited translation services in Ilocano and Tagalog.
- Current providers: Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Mauliola Pharmacy, Minit Medical, American Medical Response
- For more information, call (808) 984-8201 or (808) 984-8260.
HMSA
- Dedicated number for help: 1-800-580-6934.
- Includes free counseling services to support anyone affected by the wildfires on Maui from HMSA partner, Carelon Behavioral Health.
Kaiser Permanente
- Kaiser Permanente Maui wildfires update
- Dedicated number for EUTF members: 808-432-5250
- Access Kaiser’s 2023 Maui Wildfires Resource Handbook
- Kaiser members can also access free counseling services through Carelon Behavioral Health.
Home and auto insurance
Insurance tips for residents
- Contact your insurance agent or insurance company to start a claim as soon as possible. Insurance company adjusters can walk customers through the claims process.
- Discuss coverage for temporary lodging with your insurance agent and insurance company.
- All residents and business owners can take steps to prepare, including securing copies of important documents, such as insurance policies.
Liberty Mutual
- To file a claim, call Liberty Mutual Claims at 1-800-225-2467 (available 24/7) or go online to open a claim (if possible). Your claim will be expedited and they have dedicated teams working solely with Lahaina victims and their families. Anyone can call (not just the insured) to report a claim to get the process moving.
- Members can reach out to Kendrick Nishiguchi and/or Paula Kojima at 808-650-6071. They can assist with expediting a claim for you and answer general questions.
Island Insurance
- To file a claim, call Island Insurance’s Claims Division at 808-564-8222 or toll-free at 888-312-2525. The claims line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A call service is in place to answer calls and take messages after hours.
- To file a claim online, log into your account.
- Select “File a Claim” on the right side under “My Quick Links” to begin the claims process online.
Loan assistance
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
- Hawaii State FCU Emergency Assistance Loan
- $2,500 personal loan
- No payments are required for the first 3 months
- Deferment of loan payments for 1 to 3 months
- Penalty-free withdrawal from term share certificates
- Surcharge-free ATM withdrawals from all Bank of Hawaii and American Savings Bank ATMs.
- Call (808) 587-2700 or learn more here.
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
- Personal Emergency Relief Loan for those affected by Maui wildfires
- Loans up to $50,000
- Payments deferred for the first 90 days
- Fixed 5.00%
- Signature Line of Credit
- Up to $2,500
- APR 8.75%
- Call 808-534-4300 or toll-free at 800-379-1300, email contactus@hawaiiusafcu.com or learn more here.
- Resource flyer for HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
Loan from your 403(b)
- Call your 403(b) company and get a loan application.
- Complete the State of Hawaiʻi DOE 403(b) Loan Authorization Form.
- Normally, you can take a loan up to 50% of your 403(b) with a maximum of $50,000 with 5 years to repay it. This number may change based on IRS guidelines for the disaster.
Federal student loans
- If you are a borrower in repayment who was affected by a natural disaster in the area where you live or work, you qualify for forbearance of loan repayment for a period of up to 90 days upon your request to your servicer. During forbearance, payments are temporarily postponed or reduced. Your servicer will document your loan account with the reason and the length of the forbearance.
- Please note that interest still accrues (accumulates) during the forbearance period, and you will still be responsible for paying that interest in the future.
- Once the initial forbearance period related to the disaster is over, you may request additional forbearance time for reasonable cause. Your servicer is permitted to grant additional forbearance time, in 30-day increments, but your total period of forbearance cannot exceed a maximum of 12 monthly billing cycles from the date of the disaster.
Emergency withdrawals
From your 403(b)
- Call your 403(b) company and get a loan application.
- Tell the company you want to do a hardship withdrawal.
- The company will send you an email with the withdrawal form.
- Fill out the DOE Hardship Authorization Form.
- When taking the distribution, include a voided check and have the money deposited directly into your bank account.
From Island $avings 457 Plan
- Complete the Hawaiʻi Island $avings Plan’s Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawal Request form
- If participants need assistance with this, contact Kapena Kim, Maui Retirement Education Counselor at 808-208-3376 or via email at Kapena.Kim@empower.com.
General assistance
National Education Association Member Benefits
- NEA Member Benefits Resource Flyer
- Contact NEA Retirement Specialists at (808) 951-7185 with questions.