The United States Department of Agriculture has designated Hawaiʻi and Maui Counties primary natural disaster areas as a result of drought, making farm operators in those counties eligible for emergency loans and other Farm Service Agency assistance.

On April 8, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack announced the designation in a letter to Governor Ige. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report showed both counties had areas that are experiencing extreme drought during the farm growing season.

The deadline to apply for the emergency drought loans is December 8, 2022.  Farmers may contact their local Farm Service Agency office for additional information on assistance that may be available to eligible applicants.