State and FEMA Work Together to Rebuild After Lane

FEMA pre-hurricane response on Maui. PC: Mach Fukada

In a letter from the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, delegates urged the federal government to be ready to work with the state to address immediate recovery needs, assess the damage caused by Hurricane Lane, and swiftly approve any request for federal funding to help Hawai‘i recover and rebuild.

The delegates, Hawai‘i Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, along with House Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa, especially emphasized the need for help in rebuilding communities most devastated by Hurricane Lane.

In addition, the delegates thanked FEMA for its efforts to date and requested that the federal agency stand ready to approve any forthcoming requests from the state.

To read a copy of the delegation’s letter to FEMA, click here.

PC: Governor David Ige Facebook. 8.28.18

Meantime, Governor David Ige signed a supplementary proclamation to extend relief for disaster damages resulting from Hurricane Lane.

While the hurricane weakened rapidly on Friday, Aug. 24, the storm’s moisture was spread over a greater area and resulted in prolonged periods of slow moving, heavy rain that continues to impact the state. In addition, high winds from the storm spread and expanded wildfires in the County of Maui and the City and County of Honolulu.

The new supplemental proclamation is effective through Oct. 27, 2018. The governor issued the first emergency proclamation for Hurricane Lane on Aug. 21, 2018. Gov. Ige’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawai‘i was approved on Aug. 22, 2018.