Senate Passes Legislation With More Than $80 Million In New Disaster Relief Funding For Hawai‘i
New Funding Brings Total Federal Disaster Relief Funding For Hawai‘i To More Than Half a Billion Dollars - Bill Also Includes New Funding Available For Hawai‘i Farmers Impacted By April 2018 Flooding, Hurricane Lane, and Kilauea Eruptions
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass legislation that provides more than $80 million in new federal funding to help Hawai‘i recover from a recent series of natural disasters.
“This new funding now brings the total amount of federal disaster relief dollars for Hawai‘i to more than half a billion dollars. I will continue to fight for federal resources at every opportunity to help Hawai‘i recover,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Funding for Hawai‘i in the disaster relief package includes:
- $49 million for the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Observatory replacement facility;
- $20.1 million to help the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Observatory operate in a transitional space (short-term office rent, replacement instruments/equipment, etc.); and
- $11.16 million to repair damages at the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
In addition, Hawai‘i farmers with crop losses from the April Flooding, the Kilauea eruption, and Hurricane Lane will now be eligible to apply for help from a national $3 billion program.
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