HILO Hawaii County could receive more than $300 million in state and federal funding to support recovery and response efforts stemming from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, but only a portion of funding has so far been obtained, and even less has been spent, as the county works to cement long-term recovery plans.
HILO — Hawaii County could receive more than $300 million in state and federal funding to support recovery and response efforts stemming from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, but only a portion of funding has so far been obtained, and even less has been spent, as the county works to cement long-term recovery plans.
Recovery funds will be used to address a number of needs, such as replacing public infrastructure and housing and creating and implementing a recovery plan, but the funding is for specific uses, with regulations, guidelines and time restraints attached.
Nearly 14 square miles of land was inundated with lava during the months-long eruption, which destroyed more than 700 structures and homes in lower Puna and displaced 3,000 residents.
The eruption caused an estimated $236.5 million in damage to roads, waterlines and other facilities, and $27.9 million in farm losses, resulting in decreased agriculture and floriculture production, and triggered a decrease in tourism revenue, among other impacts, according to the county’s Kilauea recovery website.
As of August, about $9.8 million has been spent on response and recovery activities, including $2.85 million on emergency work, $5.4 million on emergency labor and $1.59 million on other expenses.
