LIHUE — The Legislature will take up the issue of funding recovery efforts for natural disasters that have struck the state during the legislative session beginning in January 2019.
LIHUE — The Legislature will take up the issue of funding recovery efforts for natural disasters that have struck the state during the legislative session beginning in January 2019.
Hawaii County officials have asked the Legislature to convene a special session to fund recovery needs from the recent Kilauea eruption.
“House legislators are generally supportive of the county’s recovery efforts, but there are still many questions about specific funding requests and legislative proposals. In addition, several natural disasters have affected communities statewide and decisions about funding for recovery can occur during the regular session,” according to House Majority Leader Della Belatti.
“It is important for the Legislature to assess the statewide impact of natural disasters affecting the state and not to view the volcanic eruption on Hawaii Island in isolation of the recovery needs on all islands,” said Belatti.
In addition to the volcanic eruption, the state was hit hard this year by Tropical Storm Lane, wildfires on Maui, and flooding from Tropical Storm Olivia.
Hawaii County’s latest estimate is that $335 million is needed for priority recovery expenses from the Kilauea eruption. This estimate includes $22 million for emergency response operational support up to 2020. Overall recovery needs are estimated at $854 million and includes emergency response operational support through 2023, infrastructure projects, recovery planning and implementation studies.
