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Hawaii County Council seeks details of disaster recovery funds

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JAMM AQUINO / MAY 2018

Hawaii county mayor Harry Kim speaks during a community meeting to address concerns in Pahoa.

HILO >> Hawaii County Council members are seeking details about how administrators plan to spend millions in disaster funds resulting from the volcanic eruption last year.

The Council on Wednesday asked for details of a possible $60 million payout for disaster response and recovery, the Tribune­-Herald reported. The federal funds were appropriated after the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island resulted in lava flows from May to August. More than 700 homes were destroyed, with farms and other small businesses also sustaining losses.

State lawmakers are considering distributing most of those funds as no-interest loans, which requires the county administration to report each month on its expenditures.

Council members also are seeking details about how county officials will distribute $22 million granted by Gov. David Ige, including $10 million for disaster response and $12 million for disaster recovery.

The county finance director says $7.4 million has already been spent.

County administrators have said they do not have all the details because much of the planning is ongoing.

Diane Ley, the county research and development director, said some of the funds will be used to hire temporary staff and consultants to help with planning efforts. She said a framework will soon be presented to Mayor Harry Kim for his approval.

“As soon as we have that done, we will come back and share that with the council as well as the county,” Ley said.

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