Obama Approves Aid for Hawaii Tsunami Repairs

President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration Friday for areas of Hawaii damaged by the tsunami caused by Japan’s devastating earthquake, an action that enables the state to get federal aid for repairs.

The waves caused about $8.5 million in damage to government property in HawaiiCounty, MauiCounty and the City and County of Honolulu, according to state officials. Another $22 million in private property was damaged.

Much of the damage was to piers, moorings, planks, electrical wiring and roads.

Obama ordered federal assistance to state and county governments, along with certain private nonprofit organizations, for emergency work and facilities repair.

“The president felt there was enough damage to be beyond the state’s capabilities to respond to, and he wanted to provide assistance to the citizens of Hawaii, so he declared it a disaster,” said Casey De Shong, a Federal Emergency Management Agency external affairs officer.

A team of FEMA responders will travel to Hawaii, meet with applicants seeking financial assistance and evaluate damage, De Shong said. Assistance amounts may vary from the $8.5 million estimate depending on actual damage reimbursements.

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz said federal support will help restore hard-hit boat harbors.

“We’re very pleased that the president signed the declaration. It enables us to begin the process of repair and recovery for our public infrastructure,” Schatz said. “These are critical infrastructure needs. These are not optional repairs.”

FEMA pays for 75 percent of government property repair costs, with state and county governments having to match the remaining 25 percent.

Hawaii governments will float bonds to pay up-front repair costs, Schatz said. Then the federal government will reimburse its share, De Shong said.

“I have seen the damage on Hawaii Island first-hand, including the torn roads and sidewalks along the busy waterfront in Kailua-Kona. This federal assistance will help these cash-strapped counties rebuild their infrastructure,” said U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii.

Government property damages amounted to $3.4 million on Oahu, $2.7 million in MauiCounty, $2.3 million on the BigIsland and $60,000 in KauaiCounty, according to Hawaii State Civil Defense estimates. KauaiCounty wasn’t included in Obama’s disaster declaration.

The Small Business Administration has been accepting applications for low-interest loans from business and homeowners.