As another storm approaches Hawai‘i, the previous two Kona lows have been declared a federally recognized disaster.
Gov. Josh Green announced Wednesday evening that President Donald Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the state after the two Kona low storms that struck Hawai‘i in March.
“Being recognized as a major disaster is significant because it opens the door for additional federal resources and establishes a shared responsibility between the state and federal government to support our communities throughout our recovery,” Green said in his announcement.
Green added that the declaration awards the state “initial federal support to help with response and early recovery efforts.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had not included the March storms among its list of Hawai‘i-based declarations. Once it is included, FEMA can activate various disaster assistance programs as specified by the governor, such as public and individual assistance services.
However, a representative of the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency told Aloha State Daily Thursday that the latest storm is not included within the presidential declaration. Whether future storm responses will be included has yet to be determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The governor can request an extension of the declaration within 30 days of the declaration or the end of the designated disaster period.
Green also made another emergency proclamation — his seventh — about the storms Thursday morning, extending the state of emergency and the disaster emergency relief period through June 7, unless terminated earlier.
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