Gov. David Ige on Thursday asked President Trump to declare a major disaster for Hawaii as a result of the impacts from Hurricane Lane.
The request addresses damage caused by the hurricane from Aug. 22 to Aug. 29.
“The magnitude and severity of the disaster requires federal assistance. This exceeds the state’s response capability and it has impacted local governments,” Ige said in a written statement.
The governor requested authorization of the Public Assistance Grant Program, the full complement of Individual Assistance programs, and the Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance program for Hawaii County and Maui County.
In addition, the governor is seeking 100 percent federal funding for a 72-hour period in the initial days of the disaster.
“Preliminary data from the National Weather Service indicates Hurricane Lane produced the second highest storm total rainfall from a tropical cyclone in the U.S. since 1950,” Ige’s letter states. “Hilo experienced the wettest three-day period ever observed. Firefighters rescued 39 people in an area that received four feet of rain.”
The governor’s letter went on to emphasize that when Lane hit, the state was still trying to recover from damage caused by the Kilauea eruption — which already has cost Hawaii County $12 million — and flooding on Kauai in April.