PAHOA, Hawaii » Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday toured neighborhoods damaged by Tropical Storm Iselle as county and state civil defense officials gathered information that could go into an application for a federal disaster declaration.
With thousands of residents still without power, and some complaining about a lack of access to water and ice, the governor told Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi that he intends to issue a supplemental state proclamation to extend a state of emergency announced last week.
"I guess I’m maybe one of the few people that’s had the opportunity to go into Louisiana and Mississippi after (Hurricane) Katrina and have seen the mass destruction that took place," the governor told reporters at a Nanawale Estates community center that has served as a lifeline for water, ice and food in one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Iselle.
"I’m just very, very grateful that we are able to zero in on people who need assistance and be able to provide immediate response and I think ultimate recovery to them here," the governor said. "Individual circumstances are very, very grim, but I’m sure we’re all very grateful that in terms of casualties and even deaths that we’ve come through this first phase maybe of a storm season in good order."
Abercrombie said after meeting with Kenoi and civil defense officials in Hilo that the county is still in the initial assessment stage, collecting damage estimates from the storm. The state will verify the initial county assessments before approaching the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which would take a state disaster declaration request to President Barack Obama.
Kenoi, who is from Puna, told reporters that life on the island is getting back to normal even though many residents are still struggling without electricity.
| HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE HELP
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said the best way to help with Tropical Storm Iselle recovery efforts is through cash donations for those affected.
RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATIONS
» American Red Cross (Hawaii Chapter): 808-734-2101; www.redcross.org/hi/honolulu/
» Hawaii State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, Hurricane Iselle Long-Term Relief and Recovery Fund: Donations may be dropped off at any American Savings Bank; hivoad.communityos.org/cms/contact_hi
» The Aloha United Way said it is supporting recovery efforts through an online giving site portal at auw.org. In addition to the collection of funds by Aloha United Way, the Hawaii Foodbank and Helping Hands Hawaii will be collecting food, water, clothing and toiletries. Food and water can be donated directly to the Hawaii Foodbank. Clothing and toiletries can be donated directly to Helping Hands Hawaii. Individuals and organizations that would like to work with Aloha United Way in this effort can visit auw.org and click on the "Big Island Recovery Effort" link on the home page, which will immediately direct them to an easy and secure way to make a donation.
» First Hawaiian Bank has established an Aloha for Puna fund to assist Hawaii island residents in the Puna region with relief and recovery efforts after Iselle. The bank has contributed the first $25,000 to the fund. Monetary donations are being accepted at all First Hawaiian Bank branches through Sept. 30. All contributions to the fund will be donated to the Hawaii Island United Way, directly benefiting affected residents through their member agencies in Puna. In addition to the monetary donation, First Hawaiian Bank customers affected by the storm are encouraged to call 643-5626 for assistance with loans and credit card payments.
RECOVERY CENTERS
Disaster Assistance and Recovery Centers opened this week in Pahoa and Volcano to help people whose property was damaged by Tropical Storm Iselle.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the County of Hawaii set up the two centers to provide information and services at the following locations and hours:
» Pahoa Community Center: 15-2910 Puna Road, Pahoa; Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
» Mountain View Gym: 18-1345 A Volcano Road, Volcano; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, the county property tax office, and other state and county agencies will be on hand to help. For more information, contact the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency at 808-733-4300 or askcivildefense@scd.hawaii.gov.
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"If you go out to Puna today, supermarkets are open, every single business is open, the kids are at school, on the playground. They’re laughing and playing. We’re not saying everything’s perfect and everything’s restored.
"But a lot of normalcy has come back," Kenoi said.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, who represents Hawaii island in Congress, said Wednesday that she plans to visit on Friday and join a FEMA task force that will conduct damage assessments.
The congresswoman also said she sent a letter to W. Craig Fugate, the FEMA administrator, requesting immediate assistance for Hawaii island.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Hawaii National Guard and private contractors are still working to clear roads of storm-strewn debris.
According to officials, the highways and main roadways in the area are now all accessible. However, roadways within subdivisions are still being cleared.
Hawaii Electric Light Co. said it restored service to about 1,500 customers Tuesday, but barely made a dent in the overall number of those without power after more people reported being in the dark.
The company said Wednesday that about 6,600 customers were without power. On Tuesday, Helco officials said, about 6,800 customers were without power, or 8 percent of the island.
The company said crews identified previously unreported outages and more affected customers have come forward, which explains why the overall number fell by only 200.
About 200 workers are out trying to restore power, including 22 electrical line crews, 14 tree-trimming crews and 25 construction crews digging holes for utility poles, company officials said. Also, 40 more crew members will be arriving, including from Maui Electric, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and contracted companies, Helco said.
"With all of the additional help we’ve received, our crews are making steady progress and also identifying new problems we need to address," Darren Pai, Helco spokesman, said in a statement. "Our customers are also helping by serving as our eyes on the ground. We thank them for their patience and understanding. This really is a collective effort by our entire community to recover from this storm."
The company concentrated Wednesday on Leilani Estates, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, portions of Upper Puna, and along the highway from Pahoa to Kalapana.
Still, the company warns that there are pockets throughout Puna where the damage is so severe that customers should be prepared for an extended outage. It could take up to three weeks to restore power to the areas with the most significant damage, and in some cases even longer, Helco said.
