Hawaii County: $60 million in disaster relief funding
KHON…Hawaii County will receive $60 million in State disaster relief funding after lava devastated parts of Puna last year.
Several house committees approved the funding on Friday.
It’s less than the $155 million Mayor Harry Kim originally requested. However, he ended up getting more than the $50 million lawmakers proposed.
“It’s clear to us in the legislature there’s a clear need to help the island of Hawaii due to its natural disasters over the past year,” said Rep. Gregg Takayama, Chair of House Public Safety Veterans and Military Affairs.
Forty-million dollars is in the form of a loan intended to match federal funds.
Takayama explains the loan is intended to match federal funds that are available on a 25 to 75-percent match.
“In other words, we provide $1 for every $3 the Feds provide,” he said.
Lawmakers are asking the county to provide a monthly expenditure report.
“The $155 million was the direct county expenses we anticipated and if you look at $60 million—well $155 million seems like a tremendous cut and yes it does not meet all of our requirements, but it is enough and I’m telling you I’m grateful for that,” said Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim.
“At least it gives us the match required that we so badly needed to proceed with all of the projects, and the rest of it we will do with what we’re given to operate on,” he said.
“Our neighborhood has gone through a lot in the last year—it’s gone through more than I know how to convey,” said Sen. Russell Ruderman of Puna District.
“Some of our loss is not fixable and some of it is and we look forward to beginning that work with the help of those here at the legislature in both chambers who’ve shown their willingness to help,” he said.
“$60 million dollars is what we’re also expecting today— much more than we anticipated we are so, so appreciative and now we can finally kick start the work to revitalize Puna with vision and vitality,” said Puna councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz.
Lawmakers are expected to take their final vote on the funding in the next several weeks.
Hawaii County has already received $22 million in disaster relief from the governor.
By: Nikki Schenfeld
