We are here to help connect you with opportunities to grow and sustain your small business.

“Behind every small business, there is a person with a dream.”

2025 Small Business Credit Survey

The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and the State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) is a partner in this effort. Business owners and key financial decision-makers of for-profit businesses, are invited to share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more.

Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. Please help us by taking the 12-minute survey today.

The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch now through November 14, 2025. All responses are confidential.

Impact of Federal Government Shutdown on Food Benefits

Starting November 1, 2025, the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services will temporarily suspend SNAP food benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

What does this mean for Hawaiʻi residents?

Eligibility for SNAP remains unaffected. Households that received benefits before November 1 may continue to use them.
New applications are still being accepted and processed; however, payments will not be issued until the government shutdown and SNAP benefit suspension is lifted.
When funding resumes, DHS will retroactively issue any missed benefit payments.

Hawaiʻi Relief Program

On October 29, 2025, Governor Josh Green announced a coordinated relief effort to protect Hawaiʻi families from Federal shutdown impacts. In partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the Department of Education (HIDOE) and other state agencies, the Green Administration is activating $100 million dollars and multiple avenues of support to help households who may temporarily lose benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting November 1. Applications for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program will be accepted beginning today, Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The Hawaiʻi Relief Program is separate from the ongoing TANF cash assistance benefits and has a different application process, eligibility criteria and requirements. Individuals do not need to be on SNAP to apply for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program. To be eligible for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program, a family must demonstrate a financial crisis or an episode of need; have at least one dependent child under the age of 18 in the family; and meet the income eligibility guidelines. A financial crisis or episode of need exists when there is financial instability due to an unexpected event (e.g., furlough, layoff, medical emergency, natural disaster, etc.) and an impending eviction or disconnection of a utility source because the family is behind on housing or utility payments, or the family is currently homeless. A family may apply for TANF housing and utility payments support through the Hawaiʻi Relief Program based on its current needs.

Website and Online Application:

https://www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/hawaii_relief_program/

Food Assistance for Hawaiʻi residents:

Statewide