FEMA approves more than $1.9 million for Hawaiʻi County water line repairs, nearly $113,000 for unemployment aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $1.9 million for Hawaiʻi County water line repairs and nearly $113,000 for state disaster unemployment services, according to an announcement from the agency’s Region 9 office.

The awards are part of a package of more than $5.4 million in disaster funding for Hawaiʻi, Arizona, Nevada and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Hawaiʻi County award will fund permanent repairs to the Haokea Place waterline, which FEMA said was damaged by Kona Low weather systems. The county’s award comes through FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

The nearly $113,000 award to the state will support Disaster Unemployment Assistance services related to what the release identified as the Kona earthquake. FEMA classified that award under its Individual Assistance program.

Across the broader package, FEMA said it approved more than $4.1 million in Public Assistance funding for two states and one territory. The agency said it disburses that money to states and territories for eligible disaster-related work, including repairs to public infrastructure and buildings, road repairs and emergency protective measures.

Other awards FEMA announced include:

• More than $1 million to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands for emergency protective measures after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
• More than $170,000 to the Nevada Division of Forestry for firefighting activities related to the Marie Fire.
• Nearly $280,000 to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for generators and emergency power at the Tinian Department of Fire and EMS Fire Station.

The Tinian award comes through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which supports measures intended to reduce damage from future disasters.