It’s a pithy 15-page letter, but the “Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration” from Gov. David Ige to President Donald Trump barely scratches the surface when it comes to the magnitude of devastation suffered on Oahu and Kauai April 13-16. The request provides but a glimpse into the destruction wreaked by intense downpours and flooding, such as over 32 inches of rain in Kauai’s Wainiha and 28.4 inches in Hanalei, over a 48-period.

So far, a very preliminary damage assessment, needed for public assistance, has quantified more than $19.7 million in damage from floods. That doesn’t include highway and roadway damage, and higher — much higher — estimates are expected.

Presidential declaration of a major disaster is urgent; still, it would be the mere start of a very difficult road to recovery for parts of paradise.

A bit of Kuhio Highway reopens, thankfully

A slim ray of hope, one highway-lane wide.

That’s what’s reopening today on Kuhio Highway, linking Waikoko and Wainiha on Kauai’s north shore, giving trapped residents a 2-mile lifeline in and out. A list detailing when the lane will open in one direction or the other, and the shuttle times, can be found at hidot.hawaii.gov, through the blog posting linked on the right.

Kauai must welcome this as a bit of sunny news. The gloomier part? The forecasts for Hanalei are showers, most days through May 12.