Joint federal, state and county disaster recovery centers will be open on O'ahu and Kaua'i this week to help people whose homes, businesses or property were damaged during the recent heavy rains.

The major disaster declaration signed by President Bush on Tuesday directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to join local governments in providing assistance to people affected by the storms.

The assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available for losses not fully covered by insurance.

The O'ahu disaster recovery center will be at Kualoa Ranch in Ka'a'awa. It will be open from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow through Friday.

On Kaua'i, the center will open at the Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow through Friday. The center will open again from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

People planning to go to either center should register first with FEMA at www.fema.gov, or by calling toll-free at (800) 621-3362. The hearing or speech impaired may call (800) 462-7585.

These phone numbers will be available from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.