Bulletin - December 18, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Honolulu County is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from the Kunia wildfires that occurred August 19, 2025 through August 29, 2025. ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions following a qualifying natural disaster. ECP signup began on December 15, 2025, and ends on January 14, 2026.
Approved ECP applicants can receive up to 75% of the allowable cost of the approved restoration activity with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event.
Approved ECP practices include:
- Non-engineering practices:
- Debris removal
- Fence restoration
- Restoration/replacement of conservation structures
ECP cost-share assistance can provide advance payments for up to 25% of the total allowable cost for all ECP practices before the restoration is carried out. The advance payment must be spent within 60 days.
Producers who lease federally owned or managed lands, including tribal trust land, as well as state land, are eligible to participate in ECP.
Conservation concerns present on the land prior to the qualifying natural disaster event are not eligible for ECP assistance.
Eligibility and Environmental Requirements
To allow producers to begin their recovery efforts sooner, FSA is offering flexibilities that apply to certain non-ground disturbing practices.
FSA is waiving the onsite inspection for certain ECP practices to remove surface debris and repair fencing. Additionally, FSA is waiving the requirement for producers to obtain prior approval to conduct surface debris removal and fence repair to support critical disaster recovery efforts.
FSA is streamlining environmental compliance reviews due to the impacts of this disaster event. However, FSA will continue to complete on-site environmental reviews for applicants who do not meet the required conditions.
More Information
To learn more about ECP, producers can contact Sofia at the Honolulu County FSA Office at 808-861-8538, sofia.blackwelder@usda.gov or visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery.
Hawaii State and Pacific Basin
USDA website: https://www.usda.gov
Farmer.gov website: https://www.farmers.gov
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Hawaii and Pacific Basin FSA State Office USDA Farm Service Agency
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (PJKK) Federal Building
P.O. Box 50065
300 Ala Moana Blvd. Rm 5-108
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
Telephone: (808) 600-2964
Toll Free: 1-866-794+1079
Fax: (855) 356-9493
Website: Hawaii State and Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency
Richard "Buddy" Nichols
State Executive Director
richard.nichols@usda.gov
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Natural Resources Conservation Service Pacific Islands Area
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (PJKK) Federal Building
P. O. Box 50004
300 Ala Moana Blvd. Rm 4-118 Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
Telephone: (808) 600-2911
Fax: (855) 838-6330
Website: Natural Resources Conservation Service - Pacific Islands Area
J.B. Martin
State Director
jb.martin@usda.gov
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