Hirono, Hawaii Delegation Urge SBA to Extend Loan Deadline for Homeowners, Renters, Businesses, Organizations Impacted by Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, led the Hawaii Congressional delegation in a letter to Isabel Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), urging the agency to extend the physical damage loan application deadline for people impacted by the Hawaii wildfires. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter was also signed by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Ed Case (D-HI).

“The recent wildfires completely devastated an entire community in West Maui,” wrote the lawmakers. “Even as the community continues to recover, it will take years to rebuild after the wildfires.”

Thus far, the SBA has approved over $98.9 million in disaster loans to assist with rebuilding that areas that have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. Currently, the deadline to apply for physical damage loans is October 10, 2023.

“We are concerned the October 10 deadline for physical damage loans will not give those affected by the wildfires enough time to apply for the assistance they need,” continued the lawmakers. “We therefore encourage you to extend this deadline to ensure they have enough time to navigate the complicated loan process and submit comprehensive and accurate information. Such an extension would help to ensure no potential applicants are denied assistance due to the tight timeline.”

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Administrator Guzman:

We write today to strongly encourage you to extend the deadline for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters affected by the Hawaii Wildfires to apply for physical damage loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program.

As you have witnessed firsthand, the recent wildfires completely devastated an entire community in West Maui. Even as the community continues to recover, it will take years to rebuild after the wildfires. We commend the SBA for quickly approving more than $98.9 million in disaster loans that will provide much-needed federal assistance to help with the rebuild.

However, we are concerned the October 10 deadline for physical damage loans will not give those affected by the wildfires enough time to apply for the assistance they need. We therefore encourage you to extend this deadline to ensure they have enough time to navigate the complicated loan process and submit comprehensive and accurate information. Such an extension would help to ensure no potential applicants are denied assistance due to the tight timeline.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. With the October 10 deadline looming and the potential of a total government shutdown increasing, we respectfully request a response by September 29 to ensure appropriate community outreach. We wholeheartedly appreciate your commitment to supporting this community and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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