KEMA is re-opening our Grant In Aid application period starting on October 16th, 2026, to allow potential applicants to apply or to update their current applications. The new deadline will be October 30th. New applicants are encouraged to apply and applicants that have previously submitted applications are encouraged to reapply, if desired. Previously submitted applications will still be considered part of the pool application, unless an updated application is submitted in its place.
Proposals must be received on or before 4:30 p.m. HST on Friday October 30th, 2026. This is a received-by deadline, not a postmark date. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.
The program is intended to benefit the people of the County of Kauaʻi by funding community emergency preparedness needs for which adequate federal or state funding cannot be secured. Proposals will be reviewed and considered for funding of the proposed projects.
Funding is available through four opportunities across the following categories:
· Establishing and administering new Community Emergency Response Teams, or CERT (two separate funding opportunities(PDF, 355KB) );
· Providing aerial support for damage assessment, search and rescue, and public warning and notification(PDF, 355KB) ;
· Supporting sheltering operations as part of Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF-6): Mass Care and Human Services(PDF, 356KB) .
Eligible private or nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $10,000 each to establish new CERT programs, up to $10,000 for damage assessment, search and rescue, and aerial public warning and notification, and up to $50,000 to support refuge area and sheltering operations. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions on or around Nov. 13th, 2026. The project funding period will run from November 20th, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
For more information, please contact the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1763 or pgallagher@kauai.gov.
If you need an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact Padraic Gallagher at number and email above as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.