Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance – Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to help Hawaii recover from the back-to-back Kona low storm systems, with the hope that the federal government will provide up to 90% in funding.

The first storm hit on March 10, followed by a second Kona low on Thursday that the governor’s office said brought “catastrophic flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage and emergency evacuations across multiple islands.”

“These storms have impacted every county in our state and stretched our emergency response capabilities,” Green said in a statement Tuesday. “This request is about getting our communities the support they need to recover quickly and safely.”

If approved, Trump’s declaration would trigger the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support for residents in the form of housing assistance, disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and legal services.

There would also be federal funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repairs to roads, bridges, utilities and public facilities.

Green also hopes for federal assistance to strengthen infrastructure and reduce the risks of future disasters across the state.

The storms knocked down trees, and triggered mudslides and rockfalls that blocked highways, isolated communities and disrupted emergency access statewide.

The first storm caused more than $400 million in damage, followed by the second, which, combined, is expected to exceed more than $1 billion in damage.

Otake Camp in Waialua was hit especially hard, and the Hawaii National Guard continues to help with debris removal and clearance operations, along with National Guard recovery and emergency operations statewide, Green’s office said.

“The scale of damage we are seeing — from washed-out highways to overwhelmed water systems — makes clear that federal partnership is essential,” Green said in his statement. “We are doing everything we can at the state and county level, but this is exactly the type of event where FEMA support is critical.”

On the North Shore, water “buffaloes” have been deployed in Waialua, Haleiwa and at Sunset Elementary to provide drinkable water.

The state and city have also set up a mobile clinic at Haleiwa’s Ali‘i Beach Park, while Kaiser Permanente has also deployed a mobile clinic to Kula on Maui to help patients from Kula Hospital who had to evacuate because of storm damage.