Rental and utility assistance program to open for Kauai County residents File photo of housing in Hawaii. (Source: Hawaii News Now/file) By HNN Staff | April 6, 2021 at 3:17 PM HST - Updated April 6 at 3:23 PM HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kauai County announced that a new rental and utility assistance program will launch in the first week of May. The county said the program is designed to help Kauai and Niihau residents, especially renters and landlords, who have struggled to pay rent and utilities due to a loss of income during the pandemic. Eligible applicants may receive up to $2,000 per month for rent and up to $400 per month for qualifying utilities. Information is required from both tenants and landlords in order for an application to be completed and qualify for the program.