Lawmakers advance Hawaii island disaster aid package

House lawmakers Friday approved a lava and flood disaster aid package for Hawaii County that includes $20 million the county can use as the local match for federal disaster assistance, and another $40 million in loans from the state to the county.

The bill was approved by the House committees on Public Safety, Veterans and Military Affairs; Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs; Housing; and Human Services and Homelessness. The measure now goes to the full House for further consideration.

House Bill 1180 originally requested a $20 million subsidy from the state to help the county to finance the recovery effort and a $30 million loan, but House Public Safety Chairman Gregg Takayama announced lawmakers were amending the bill to increase the loan amount to $40 million.

Takayama said the loan proceeds also will be used mostly to match Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for the disaster recovery effort.

The bill also requires that the county report monthly on how it is spending the money and that the Hawaii County Council adopt a resolution accepting the funds.

Patrick Hurney, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, said the eruption from Kilauea Volcano that began May 3 destroyed more than 700 homes, including 358 that were owner-occupied, and another 179 homes that were occupied by tenants.

Gov. David Ige’s administration already has provided $22 million in assistance to Hawaii County, and Ige praised lawmakers for acting quickly to help.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents Kapoho and Leilani in Puna, said the area “has gone through more than I know how to convey. Some of our loss is not fixable, and some of it is, and we look forward to beginning that work with the help of those here at the Legislature.”

“This is people helping their neighbors in a time of need, which is what we do here in the Aloha State,” said Ruderman (D, Puna).

“Deepest gratitude goes out to the Legislature,” said Hawaii County Council Chairman Aaron Chung in a written statement Friday evening. “They have demonstrated their understanding of the plight of our residents and their commitment toward addressing our needs.”

The bill contrasts with a measure lawmakers approved in April that provided $100 million in state assistance in the wake of flooding on Kauai and Oahu. Ige acknowledged that “maybe the legislation is drafted differently, but the effect is exactly the same.”

Ige said the agreement between the state and Kauai and Honolulu counties is that as federal disaster aid is received for the recovery from the flooding last year, “we would receive the reimbursement” at the state.