Maui Business Bridge Grants

This grant program is being offered by the State of Hawaii, County of Maui, Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), and Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). The purpose of this grant program is to support Maui-based businesses that have been directly or indirectly impacted by the August 8, 2023 Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires. 

In order to be eligible to receive funding, business owners must have: 

• an active registration license, established prior to August 1, 2023, with the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).  Please check your business registration status HERE (DCCA) 

• a primary business operating location on Maui as of July 31, 2023 

• an active Hawaii General Excise Tax ID (GET ID), with a registered business address on Maui. 

  • Please check your Hawaii GET License status HERE (GET)

  • Scroll down to “Business” section and click “search tax licenses”.

  • NOTE: Only General Excise (GE) IDs are valid. Withholding (WH) or Transient Accommodation (TA) IDs are not eligible.

• a copy of a recent Hawaii GET filing, dated within the period of August 31, 2022 through July 31, 2023.  A 2022 annual G49 filing is preferred to determine annual gross income.  For information on obtaining a GET filing copy, please contact the Hawaii Department of Taxation Maui District Office or log in to your Hawaii Tax Online account. 

Rental Property income landlords/businesses are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted. Due to the high demand for grant funding, it may not be possible to provide grants to all eligible applicants. Grants will range from $1,000 to $20,000, with the assigned grant processing agency determined by the applicant's gross annual income for the 2022 tax year or an extrapolation of the most recent General Excise Tax (GET) filing period for businesses established for less than one year. 

The grant processing agency will be assigned depending on the applicant’s gross annual income for the 2022 tax year, or for businesses established for less than 1 year, an extrapolation of the most recent General Excise Tax (GET) filing period as follows: 

• Maui Economic Opportunity: $0 - $300,000 

• Maui Economic Development Board: $300,001 - $599,000

• Maui Economic Development Board: $600,000 and over

  NOTE: Applications with Gross Revenue of $300,001 or more will be automatically waitlisted; funds are exhausted for this grant tier. Applications will still be reviewed for the waitlist and applicants will be notified if additional funding becomes available.

If awarded, funds may be used for the following costs incurred as of August 9, 2023 or later: 

• Rent, lease payments, or mortgage payments on new property secured as a replacement for property destroyed or damaged during the August 8, 2023 Maui Wildfires. 

• Utility deposits and bills for a new business location secured as a replacement for property destroyed or damaged during the August 8, 2023 Maui Wildfires. 

• Insurance premiums. 

• Inventory, Equipment, Supplies and Marketing. 

 If awarded, funds may NOT be used for the following: 

• Rent, lease payments, or mortgage payments associated with property destroyed or damaged during the August 8, 2023 Maui Wildfires. 

• Any utility charges associated with property destroyed or damaged during the August 8, 2023 Maui Wildfires. 

• Repayment of any loans. 

• Staff salaries, wages or payroll inclusive of benefits. 

Each grant processing agency reserves the right to establish additional eligibility criteria, document requirements, funding restrictions, and grant activity requirements. 

If awarded, grant revenue may be taxable.  Consult with a tax professional regarding proper tax treatment of these funds.