Governor Signs Hawai‘i Island Disaster Relief Bill

Gov. David Ige signed HB1180 Act 009, which provides $20 million in funding for Hawai‘i County’s disaster relief, recovery, mitigation, and remediation efforts in the wake of the Kīlauea volcanic eruption.

Last year’s eruption had an enormous impact on Hawai‘i County, with damages estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the governorʻs office. More than 700 structures were destroyed and more than 3,000 residents were displaced.

“This was an unprecedented four-month disaster,” Ige said. “We know the recovery will take years, but the effort is supported by the state legislature and my administration, which will help with local cost share and economic revitalization.”

An additional $40 million in general funds will be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 to 2019 as a loan to the county. The loan will allow Hawai‘i County to receive non-state funds, such as federal funds for disaster relief. The loan terms will be negotiated by the state Director of Finance.

In addition, federal partners will cover approximately 75% of the costs to replace lost infrastructure.

Hawaiʻi County will be required to report their monthly expenditures to the state Department of Budget and Finance. The bill takes effect immediately.