A Kamalama Foundation program
Priced Out ofKauaʻi by Lowell
Supporting the local businesses that help make our island home.
Program overview
Priced Out of Kauaʻi by Lowell is a Hurricane Lowell emergency-relief and recovery program for Hawaiʻi residents who live on Kauaʻi and own and operate locally owned businesses physically located on Kauaʻi. It is a program of Kamalama Foundation, not a separate nonprofit.
Hurricane Lowell, and the drop in visitors that followed, hit the small, locally owned businesses that depend on steady customers hardest. When income stops, business rent and household rent are often the first bills that put an owner at risk of closing or losing their home.
Immediate Community Response
Verified emergency resources, community coordination, volunteers, in-kind support and available relief.
Business Needs Assessment
Kauaʻi business owners complete the business-needs census with HI Risk Management so we can understand the scope of need.
Application, Verification & Awards
Opens only after the Board approves a written policy, eligibility, verification, award criteria and payment process.
Who the program is meant for
Our current intended eligibility focus:
- Business is physically located on Kauaʻi
- Business is locally owned and operated
- Owner currently lives on Kauaʻi and is a Hawaiʻi resident
- Owner holds a current Hawaiʻi driver's license or Hawaiʻi State ID
- Business was affected by Hurricane Lowell or related tourism disruption
The Board will approve and publish final eligibility requirements before any awards are made.
Planned rent-first recovery
If the Board approves an assistance program and funds allow, the first priority is helping verified eligible owners stabilize:
- One month of essential business rent or lease; and
- One month of essential household rent or mortgage, where Lowell-related business-income loss has created documented unmet housing need.
Depending on funds and the number of qualified applicants, this could be full or partial assistance, a capped base award, or a priority-based award. If funds remain, the Board may approve supplemental help with verified essential needs such as utilities, insurance, inventory, repairs, equipment, payroll, food, transportation, childcare, or medical costs.
How future assistance will be decided
Limited funds call for a clear, published process. Before any application is reviewed, the Board will adopt and publish a written priority framework.
Priority factors
- Immediate risk of closure, lease default, eviction, utility shutoff, or insurance lapse
- Immediate risk of household displacement from Lowell-related income loss
- Verified substantial revenue loss or temporary closure
- Unmet rent or housing need after insurance and other aid
- Businesses supporting employees or essential local services
- Tourism dependence
- Uninsured or underinsured need
Who decides
Staff and trained volunteers may organize applications and request missing information, but they do not make award decisions.
Final awards are approved by the Board of Directors or by an Independent Grant Review Committee of at least three people with no personal, family, financial or business interest in the applications they review.
Conflict safeguards
If a founder, director, officer, staff member, volunteer with program authority, family member, or related business applies, that person must disclose the interest and fully recuse from rule-making, review, decisions, and payment for that application.
The Foundation cannot promise an award, a particular amount, full rent payment, or reimbursement of business losses. Any assistance depends on available charitable funds, Board-approved criteria, verification, insurance and other aid received, the number of qualified applicants, and award caps.
Fundraising, grants & events
Saturday, October 24, 2026 benefit concert
Kamalama Foundation is producing a community benefit concert on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Net proceeds, after disclosed event expenses, will support the Priced Out of Kauaʻi by Lowell emergency-relief and recovery program. Venue, lineup and tickets will be announced here.
Planned ticket price: $40. The tax-deductible portion of any ticket is limited to the amount paid above the fair market value of admission and other goods or services received.
We are also pursuing public and private disaster-relief grants, foundation and corporate support, and local business partnerships. Artists, vendors, and businesses who can donate or discount services are warmly welcome. Kamalama is producing this concert, and net proceeds after disclosed event expenses support the program.
Complete the Business Needs Census