Lawmakers move bill quickly to
provide support for devastated Puna residents
Honolulu,
Hawaiʻi – Knowing the tremendous need of Big Island
residents following the devastating Kilauea eruption that destroyed homes,
farms, and infrastructure last year, lawmakers moved quickly this session to
provide financial support by passing HB
1180 HD1.
During a press conference today, Big Island lawmakers talked about the road to recovery for Hawaiʻi Island.
During a press conference today, Big Island lawmakers talked about the road to recovery for Hawaiʻi Island.
"The people of Puna and the Big Island
are hurting and need our help," said Rep. Joy A. San
Buenaventura (Puna). "They are struggling just to secure their basic needs
such as food, water, and a roof over their heads. We are hoping the county uses
these funds wisely and will be able to leverage it with FEMA funds. My
community has been hard hit and it is very difficult to rebuild."
HB 1180
HD1 provides a total of $60 million in
relief funding:
$20 million in state grants and $40
million in state loans with expected payback from the federal government. The state has already provided $22 million in emergency funds for
Big Island disaster relief, bringing the entire package
to $82 million.
Hawaiʻi County Council member Herbert M.
"Tim" Richards III said he
came to the Capitol today to affirm to the Legislature that the County Council
is unified and committed to using these funds for rebuilding both the
infrastructure and the economy.
"It is not just the physical
damage but also the economic damage that we've had on the whole Big Island that
needs to be repaired," Richards said. "Estimates are that we suffered
a $500 million loss in tourism. We have to rebuild that. We are looking at
roads, tourism marketing, and jobs. It will take time, but we are moving
forward reasonably quickly."
The Kilauea eruption covered nearly 14 square
miles in Puna; it destroyed 716 homes and made over three thousand parcels
inaccessible, and destroyed a school, farms, cultural sites, roadways, water
systems, recreational destinations, and a large portion of the electrical grid.
House Speaker Scott K. Saiki said moving this
bill through as quickly as possible was a priority for the Legislature.
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi agreed and said
on opening day he promised that "we would not forget the Big Island this
session."
Senator Russell Ruderman (Puna,
Ka‘u) thanked President Kouchi for keeping that promise.
“Mahalo to my Senate and House colleagues who worked so hard
on this bill," Ruderman said. "It is a giant step toward providing
much needed financial relief to the County of Hawaiʻi
and residents of Puna, who have experienced extreme hardship over the past year
in rebuilding their lives.”
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