Hawaii Property Owners Receive Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans to private individuals, businesses and nonprofits on Hawaii’s Big Island as a result of damage caused by this month’s tsunami.

But private property damage on other islands didn’t qualify for disaster loans under the administration’s guidelines.

The Small Business Administration was opening a disaster loan outreach center at the West Hawaii Civic Center on Thursday.

The state estimated the tsunami caused private property damage amounting to $22 million statewide, including $16 million on the Big Island.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie asked for a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration last week, which enables private property owners to seek loans to repair and replace damaged materials.