President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration today in response to the June 27 lava flow, a move that authorizes federal reimbursement of state and county relief efforts. ADVERTISING President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration today in response to
President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration today in response to the June 27 lava flow, a move that authorizes federal reimbursement of state and county relief efforts.
Eligible projects under the declaration can receive 75 percent federal reimbursement with a 25 percent match from the state or Hawaii County.
The county has spent more than $6 million on emergency expenditures related to the lava flow, according to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s request for federal assistance.
An additional $16 million was estimated to be needed in response to the ongoing disaster, which continues to threaten Pahoa homes.
Most of the funds so far have been spent on building alternate routes along Railroad Avenue, Government Beach Road, and Chain of Craters Road should lava cross Highway 130 and reach the sea.
State efforts that could be reimbursed include measures to accommodate about 900 schoolchildren who have to take classes elsewhere because of the flow, and to support additional air quality monitoring.
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