The new funding follows nearly $200 million in federal funding announced last month and $53.4 million announced last week.

Upon approval, Hawaiʻi will offer an additional unemployment compensation benefit of $300 per week to eligible unemployment recipients. To qualify for this benefit, recipients must be eligible for at least $100 in weekly benefit and must certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Payments would be retroactive to Aug. 1, 2020.

US Senator Mazie Hirono joined a letter led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and signed by 32 of their colleagues calling for President Trump to restore full federal funding in states where the National Guard has been deployed to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for National Guard... Read more »

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Douglas from July 23, 2020 and continuing. US Senator Mazie Hirono said that while the funding unlocks important resources, she continued to encourage Hawaii residents to finish up storm preparations.

Currently, the HING has over 700 personnel executing specific duties for the counties and state in addressing COVID-19 needs. With the arrival of Douglas, the HING is standing by to respond to two fronts at the same time.

US Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led 29 of their colleagues in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Peter Gaynor urging them to take immediate action to provide Personal Protective Equipment and sanitizing supplies for election and poll workers—and voters—ahead of the November 2020 election.

A portion of the funds will go to repair Highway 137, Pohoiki Road, Leilani Avenue, Hinalo Street, Lauone Street, Honuaula Street, and Lighthouse Road.

FEMA is distributing eight million N95 respirator masks, and 13.3 million surgical masks across the country right now. Focusing on the areas with the greatest need, FEMA has shipped 73 pallets of Personal Protective Equipment to New York City and 36 pallets to the state of Washington.  

The Maui Emergency Management Agency is updating the countyʻs Hazard Mitigation Plan to address threats like wildfires, significant beach erosion and highway rockslides. 

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, as well as the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will host a workshop for businesses interested in contracting to supply needed products and services during federally declared disasters.

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

FEMA has determined the Waimea and Hanapēpē levees on Kaua‘i do not provide a high level of protection and are to be de-accredited.

The Maui County Emergency Management Agency is hosting Community Emergency Response Team training classes beginning April 8. Endorsed by FEMA, the CERT program aims to train the public to prepare for any disasters they could face. Through hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT teams are trained in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety,... Read more »

The report identified a number of areas of concern for Hawaiʻi’s alert system and alert systems across the country—such as FEMA not requiring that alert software have the ability to preview or cancel alerts.