The state’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii from the March 11 tsunami has been sent to the White House, and is expected to receive "favorable consideration," Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz said.

Damage from the tsunami is estimated at $30 million, which includes about $8.5 million in damage to public property and facilities.

"We have met the threshold for public assistance for infrastructure repairs," Schatz said today in an interview.

Schatz recently returned from a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., where he met with officials from the White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss disaster recovery efforts for the state.

Teams from the Small Business Administration are expected to be in Kona today and tomorrow to assist landowners, companies and renters who are facing financial difficulties from the tsunami, Schatz said.