City and County of Honolulu launches assistance program for COFA families
HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) announced Tuesday the launch of the ʻOhana Memorial Support: COVID-19 COFA Funeral Assistance Program, which seeks to provide $1.5 million in direct reimbursement of burial expenses to Compact of Free Association (COFA) Citizens residing on O'ahu.
This program addresses the significant challenges COFA migrants faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite bearing a disproportionate share of COVID-19-related deaths, COFA households were excluded from receiving federal funeral assistance due to their citizenship status.
"This program is about doing right by the families who lost a loved one to COVID-19 and were unjustly excluded from federal assistance," said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. "While no amount of funding can ever replace the lives lost, we hope this support demonstrates our deep commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our community."
"I am heartened to see that the City will be implementing the COVID-19 death benefits program for our Micronesian community. During the pandemic, citizens from the Compacts of Free Association of Micronesia living in Hawaii were disproportionately over-represented in COVID-19 deaths," said Honolulu City Council Member Esther Kia'āina. "As a matter of equity, I was pleased to advocate for this program during our City budget. It is only fair that they enjoy the same federal death benefits received by other residents impacted by the pandemic. Mahalo to the City's Office of Economic Revitalization and We Are Oceania for their commitment to serving our Pacific Islander community. I am grateful for their efforts in bringing this program to fruition."
To support these local families, the program contractor, We Are Oceania, will reimburse burial expenses up to $9,000 for each household member who passed away due to COVID-19. The reimbursement amount for households experiencing multiple deaths in one family is capped at $35,500 per application.
Community Outreach and Support
We Are Oceania is conducting extensive community outreach to ensure eligible families and individuals understand the application process and receive the support they need:
Weekly Virtual Community Sessions: Join Facebook livestreams for community-specific information sessions:
· Marshallese Community: Every Tuesday, 3:30-4:30 PM
· Kosraean Community: Every Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 PM
· Pohnpeian Community: Every Thursday, 3:30-4:30 PM
· Chuukese Community: Every Friday, 3:30-4:30 PM
In-Person Outreach Events in June 2025:
· Kosraean Church visits: June 15th at Kalihi Union Church (2214 N. King St.), 5:30-9:00 PM
· Daily assistance at We Are Oceania Shim Hall (720 N King Street, Honolulu): 9 AM-4 PM (excluding weekends and June 11th)
· Marshallese Full Gospel Church: June 15th at Kalihi Union Church, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
· Chuukese Church: June 22nd at Kalihi Union Church, 3:00-5:30 PM
· Pohnpeian Church: June 29th at Central Union Church (1660 Beretania St.), 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
· Community Leader Sessions: June 17th and 19th at Shim Hall
Eligibility
1. Immediate surviving family members of a COFA Citizen whose death was attributed to COVID-19 between January 20, 2020, and September 30, 2024
2. The deceased family member must have resided on O'ahu and must demonstrate COFA citizenship (FSM, RMI, or ROP).
3. Applicants must prove a relationship to the deceased through official documents.
Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about eligibility, required documents, and the application process, please visit: https://www.weareoceania.org/ohana-memorial-support/
Contact Information:
· Phone: (808) 754-7303
· Email: contact@weareoceania.org
· Website: www.weareoceania.org
—PAU—
