Hamakua-Kohala Health welcomes new healthcare provider
Hamakua-Kohala Health announces the appointment of Bridget Bala-Valdez, DNP, APRN/RX, to its Hamakua Clinic effective July 1.
A graduate of Honokaa High School, Bala-Valdez worked with HKH while completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing, and helped develop the clinic’s HIV testing program. During her nurse practitioner residency program, she also worked with HKH under mentorship with Dr. Eric Murray. Bala-Valdez received her doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Hawaii in 2017.
In her role at HKH, Bala-Valdez will focus on family practice — from the newborn to kupuna.
Hamakua-Kohala Health provides comprehensive primary and preventative health care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. They accept most insurance, and use a sliding fee scale for those with no insurance.
Info/schedule appointment: Call 775-7204.
Disaster loans available to Hawaii small businesses
Small non-farm businesses in Hawaii County are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in Hawaii County that began May 28.
Small non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The secretary declared this disaster on July 9.
The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 9, 2020.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Service Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.