LEGISLATURE PROVIDES KAUA‘I WITH $100 MILLION FOR IMMEDIATE DISASTER RELIEF

Lawmakers also allocate an additional $25 million for other statewide emergency repairs

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – To provide disaster relief following devastating flooding on Kaua‘i and other affected areas statewide, House and Senate Legislators today allocated a total of $125 million to make road, bridge and other infrastructure repairs for the stricken communities.

"Kaua‘i residents need our help immediately," said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (McCully, Kāheka, Kakaʻako, Downtown). "The rains and flooding have decimated roads, bridges, power lines and other infrastructure. With the ground soaked and more rain predicted, we cannot wait to act. We need to move quickly on funding repairs and give those in need some hope for the future."

“I am in complete agreement with Speaker Saiki and additionally, I would like to thank my legislative colleagues for their support in recognizing the dire needs of Kaua‘i residents,” said Senator Ronald D. Kouchi (Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau).

The House Finance and Senate Ways and Means committees added wording to Senate Bill 192 during a conference committee hearing to appropriate $100 million in general funds to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people, and provide relief from disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by the flooding on Kaua‘i.

The committee also provided $25 million for flood-related repairs statewide.

"This tragedy is very personal for me because I have many friends and family in the flooded areas, and critical because I represent these communities in the Legislature," said Representative Nadine K. Nakamura (Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Kapaʻa, Wailuā). "I want to thank Speaker Saiki, President Kouchi, Chairs Luke and Dela Cruz and all my colleagues in the Legislature for their compassion and quick action to make this relief funding happen."

“Many of us have spent the last few days witnessing the utter devastation that has once again struck our family and friends on the island of Kaua‘i,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village, portion of Poamoho), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Rather than sit and wait, it’s clear that the Legislature must commit our efforts to the rebuilding process for those impacted by the floods in these final days of session.  In this joint effort by both chambers, we wish to offer our kokua through the adoption of this conference draft for Senate Bill 192.”

Because of the desperate circumstances, this Senate bill was selected as the best way to quickly authorize this emergency funding.

"We all know when it is important to take action quickly, and clearly this is one of those times," said Finance Committee Chair Representative Sylvia Luke, (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nu‘uanu, Dowset Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa). "While State and Counties officials work to get a complete assessment of the damages, we know it is important to supply this immediate infusion of cash support to the people of Kaua‘i in their time of need."

The funds will be allotted to the State Department of Defense for disaster relief this fiscal year for the repairs and will lapse at the end of the next fiscal year.

Photo caption

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (from left), Senator J. Kalani English, Finance Committee Chair Representative Sylvia J. Luke, Finance Committee Vice Chair Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Ways and Means Chair Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Representative Nadine K. Nakamura, Representative Dee Morikawa, Representative James Kunane Tokioka, and Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi.