Hawaii County officials meet with South Kona residents affected by 6.0 magnitude earthquake: Big Island Now

On the night of May 22, Joshua Watan was asleep in his South Kuna home, with his six children, when a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck. His dogs woke him up. Then he heard what sounded like a bang.

“When I got out of bed, my floor was so warped that it hit me under my feet, and it felt like a hammer,” Watan said.

The rock walls around his property have collapsed, and his porch has moved and is now tilted, with the foundation compromised.

About a week after the quake, Watan and about 100 other South Kona residents attended a community meeting in Sgt. Rodney JT Yano Memorial Hall in Captain Cook, where Hawaii County department heads answered questions about the recovery process and guided them through filing damage reports.

The rock walls surrounding Joshua Watan’s home collapsed around the porch following the May 22, 2026 earthquake. (Photo: Joshua Watan)

Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense director, said more than 300 people reported property damage in the county. While it was initially reported that eight houses collapsed in the earthquake, Magno explained that the number of houses was seven, and that one of the houses had a separate living entrance.

There were approximately 90 cases of major property damage, with 50 reports of impacts to water systems, Magno said.

Watan said that he initially did not report the damage to the county because he intended to file an insurance claim, but he discovered that his insurance did not cover earthquake damage.

Watan described Thursday’s meeting as a blessing because it allowed his family to report on the damage and get some guidance on next steps.

Many of the watershed systems that hold water have either failed or are “broken in some way, whether it’s pipes, linings or the entire reservoir. Then other systems have some sort of structural failure or damage to the foundation,” Magno said.

Pam, who did not want to give her last name, said she lost her South Kona home in the quake.

She was next to her car outside her home when she felt the tremor: “I stood there, and then it hit me like a bomb, knocking me off my feet.”

With her husband at home, she started entering her house. But after taking just one step, the house collapsed.

Damage from the South Kona earthquake on May 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy: GoFundMe)

Pam said she attended Thursday’s meeting to get resources and find some help. And I discovered: “I’m not the only one.”

Magno said the county will be out next week with the Small Business Administration to continue evaluating the affected properties. Once the assessments are completed, they will be submitted to FEMA for additional assistance.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda signed an emergency declaration on May 27 in connection with the earthquake.

Magno believes the county should have information by the end of next week on whether FEMA will provide assistance with the disaster.

Magno asks residents who start repairs to document what they’re doing with photos and keep all the paperwork, so if assistance programs start, they can still apply for assistance.

Fortunately, Vatan said, they are connected to county water and do not have a reservoir to collect the water.

For now, Watan and his family are still living at home, avoiding the high-risk area. But, he said, “It’s a big mess.”

Watan estimated the damage to his home at between $20,000 and $30,000.

“As we speak, there is still debris coming out of that corner,” Watan said. “So, it’s very unstable and not safe at all.”

Greg Goodall of the Department of Water Supply said Thursday that damage to watershed tanks is linked to the plastic lining system that holds the water.

“When the tanks moved, the force of the water moving the tank tore off the plastic liner,” Goodall said.

Many of the catchment tanks used by area homeowners hold 10,000 gallons of water.

To meet residents’ water needs, the county Parks and Recreation Department will keep the Honaunau Rodeo Stadium gates open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. seven days a week to ensure access to water spigots.

If the damage doesn’t reach FEMA’s threshold for assistance, the money won’t flow, leaving the community vulnerable, said South Kona resident Shahir Valtas.

Damage from the South Kona earthquake on May 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy: GoFundMe)

Valtas said the quake destroyed his retaining wall, which was 80 feet long and 16 feet high.

“It’s like we’re in two worlds now,” Valtas said. “The car drives for 10 to 15 minutes, and life goes on as usual. But here we’ve been beaten and beaten to the canvas and we’re kind of on the ropes, and we need people and leaders in our corner.”

That’s why Valtas attended Thursday’s meeting. He wanted to see county leadership take an interest in South Kona.

“I have come to ask for effective, compassionate and understanding leadership that works quickly and creatively to meet the unique needs of the people of South Kona,” he said.

Valtas also wanted to know what resources would flow into the community.

Despite the tragedy, people who attended the meeting said the community rallied and people took care of each other.

She started four GoFundMe fundraisers to help families who lost their homes, including one for the Sanchez family and one for Asia, Cody and their young children. Money is also being raised for Angela Kang, known to many as “Como Kang,” and Emily Alani, “Aunt Em,” whose home suffered catastrophic structural damage.

She also started a fundraiser for the Benson family, after the foundation of their home shifted, windows and glass were shattered, shelves collapsed, door hinges were broken, and their water pump broke, causing the loss of nearly 15,000 gallons of stored water.

Civil Defense continues to urge residents and businesses to report earthquake damage online or by calling the agency at 808-935-0031.

Damage reports help the county request state or federal disaster assistance, as well as prioritize and focus resources if assistance becomes available.

Residents who need immediate assistance – such as food, clothing, debris removal or shelter – can complete a request for assistance through Vibrant Hawaiʻi or by calling Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.

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