The first federal aid for Hurricane Lala recovery has been confirmed.
Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved $6 million to assist Hawai‘i in repairing roads and bridges damaged during Hurricane Lala.
The funds will come from the U.S. DOT’s Emergency Relief Program, which uses federal funds to reimburse states for the repair of public roads damaged by natural disasters or other external causes. Emergency Relief funds that are used within 270 days after the disaster can be reimbursed in full.
Schatz’s office stated the $6 million is “quick release” funding intended to make emergency repairs now while a full accounting of the damage wrought by Lala is still underway. Additional federal funds are expected as the recovery process continues.
“Lala brought devastating flooding, damaged roads and bridges, knocked out power, and left communities isolated,” Schatz said Wednesday. “These federal funds will help Hawaiʻi move quickly to clear debris, restore access, and begin making the repairs our roads and highways need.”
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reported Tuesday that cleanup work is still required to restore Highway 11, or the Māmalahoa Highway, in Ka‘u on Hawai‘i Island. A section of the roadway has washed away and cleanup work is still required within a 15-mile stretch between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu.
Meanwhile, road work to clear landslides and fallen trees from Pali Highway on O‘ahu wrapped up on Monday, although one lane will remain closed throughout the week as slope work continues.
And on Maui, highways 377 and 360 have been reopened, but Highway 378 is open only to essential traffic as cleanup and repair work continues.
While Lala has passed, HIDOT warns drivers that more trees are expected to fall in the coming days: the heavy rains have saturated the ground, while the heavy winds have weakened trees. Drivers are therefore urged to take extra caution while traveling, and to report any safety issue they encounter to HDOT.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
