Council District 1 candidate forum
this evening
The Waimea Community Association will host a virtual forum this evening for candidates vying for the Hawaii County Council District 1.
The association is dedicating its 6 to 7 p.m. Virtual Town Meeting to the forum spotlighting candidates for the Waimea-Hamakua seat.
Candidates Heather Kimball and Dominic Yagong will face off (via Zoom) answering questions gathered from residents in the district. The virtual meeting will then be streamed live to WCA’s Facebook page.
Moderating the panel will be WCA President James Hustace, who will be joined by several association board members to ask wide-ranging questions – from details about participating in managing the county’s more than $500 million budget and its primary funding sources – property taxes and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) – to emergency and first responder services, parks, roads, solid waste management, housing, planning and more.
High on the list of questions will be exploring candidates’ priorities to address the county’s health and economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The next Waimea Community Association virtual forum will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 featuring Hawaii Island OHA Trustee candidates Lanakila Mangauil and Keola Lindsey.
For more information, visit www.WaimeaTown.org or www.Facebook.com/WaimeaCommunity
Association or email Hustace at jameshustace@gmail.com.
Nonprofit offers RRHAP application assistance
The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands is offering statewide assistance with applications for the State of Hawaii’s Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program (RRHAP), as a partner agency with Aloha United Way.
The program provides renters at risk of eviction, and who have experienced a reduction in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with assistance in making monthly rent. It is funded by federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act appropriations.
“We’ve had a successful launch, helping process over 300 applications during the initial weeks of the program,” said Anna Stone, director of Pathway of Hope for The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands. “We recognize that this is a difficult time for many households and encourage those who are financially struggling and unable to pay their rent to take advantage of the CARES Act funds that the State is offering through RRHAP. It is not a loan, there is no need to pay back the assistance received. To make it simple, applicants can visit HiRent.org, review the list of required documents, and provide us with their contact information. Then, one of our staff members will assist them through the process.”
The state program is currently accepting applications for housing payments until Dec. 28. Applicants must be full-time Hawaii residents with proof of valid and current tenancy for their primary residence, are 18 years of age or older, must show a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have a gross household income that does not exceed 100% Area Media Income, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for 2020.
Rental assistance payments can be made in lump sums of up to three months, retroactive from August and through Dec. 28. Payments up to $1,500 per household will be made directly to landlords.
For more information and to begin the process, visit usw.salvationarmy.com or email HiRent@usw.salvationarmy.com.
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