Ige signs lava recovery funding bill

Gov. David Ige on Tuesday signed a bill providing $60 million to Hawaii County for recovery from last year’s Kilauea eruption.

The funding will come in the form of $40 million in no-interest loans, which are intended to be used as match money for federal aid, and $20 million in additional state grants.

The eruption destroyed 716 structures and displaced an estimated 3,000 residents in lower Puna throughout three to four months.

Ige previously authorized giving the county $22 million for disaster response and recovery.

Under the bill, the county will have to report monthly to the state regarding how it’s spending the money.

County Finance Director Deanna Sako said the reports also will be sent to the County Council for review.

The council passed a bill to accept the $20 million appropriation last week. Another bill to accept the $40 million in loans will be voted on again during the April 24 meeting.