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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 7:42 a.m., Thursday, January 22, 2009

Waipahu Disaster Recovery Center to shut down

HONOLULU—The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu will close for good at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Three other DRCs remain will remain open to serve Oahu residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of Dec. 10-16.

Oahu residents may visit any of the remaining three DRCs for information or call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Helpline (1-800-621-3362) on the status of their case. Those planning to visit a DRC are encouraged to apply with FEMA first so that their information will already be in the system. Mitigation advisors will be on site as well to assist applicants with their questions on loan applications and prevention of future damage.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations to repair or replace damaged real estate and personal property. SBA also offers low interest working capital loans to be small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations with working capital needs as a result of the disaster. The disaster loans cover uninsured or uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

SBA representatives are at the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) to meet individually with each applicant to answer any questions about SBA's disaster loan program, help them complete their disaster loan application and accept completed disaster loan applications.

SBA Disaster loan information and application forms are available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling toll-free (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Website www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877 8339.

After registering with FEMA, applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

The following centers will remain open Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., until further notice:

• HALEIWA--Waialua Community Association, 66-434 Kamehameha Highway

• LAIE--Laie Shopping Center, 55-510 Kamehameha Highway