Emergency Loan Available to Assist with Axis Deer Pest Control in County Maui

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture will open an emergency loan program to help farmers with the costs associated with axis deer overpopulation in the county of Maui.

On an August 23rd At the 2022 meeting, the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture approved the Department of Agricultural Credits’ application for an emergency lending program. Applications from Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi will be accepted from September 1st to December 31st, 2022.

In March 2022, Governor Ige issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maui County due to drought conditions. Additional proclamations extended the relief period to September 20, 2022.

The emergency declarations include provisions to alleviate damage, loss and suffering caused by axis deer, which have decimated crops and rangeland while migrating to forage and water. The estimated population of axis deer in the county is at least 60,000.

“The prolonged drought has exacerbated problems related to axis deer overpopulation in Maui County,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chair of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “The low-interest emergency loans offer some relief to farmers and ranchers in coping with their losses and help with the costs of fencing and other mitigation measures.”

The Board approved the following emergency loan amounts, terms and parameters:

• Maximum loan amount: $150,000.
• The conditions are determined on a case-by-case basis as required. The consideration is based on historical operating performance and projected cash flow based on reasonable assumptions about revenues and expenses.
• Interest rate: 3%.
• Loans up to $100,000 are exempt from the loan denial requirement. Loans over $100,000 up to a limit of $150,000 require 1 loan denial. (Loan denials from conventional lenders are typically required for non-emergency government loan programs.)
• The 3-year residency requirement for US citizens and permanent residents does not apply.
• Collateral requirements may be amended or waived on a case-by-case basis as required. Wherever possible, the provisions of Section 155-11, Security for Loans, should be followed.

Microloans with less paperwork and faster processing are also available for agribusinesses and farmers who need loans of $50,000 or less.

For more information, please contact the Agricultural Loan Division in Honolulu at
808-973-9460 or email [email protected]