Hawaii will appeal the decision Thursday by the federal government to reject the state’s request for a disaster declaration due to Tropical Storm Iselle.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi announced the news after meeting with Gov. Neil Abercrombie at the Hawaii State Capitol late Thursday.

“We’re greatly appreciative of that,” he said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate, according to a statement by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said damage by Iselle on Aug. 8-9 was not significant enough to qualify for a disaster declaration.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is optimistic that FEMA might reconsider helping Puna recover from Iselle.

Chad Blair/Civil Beat

“It has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies,” he said.

But Kenoi said he believes there is a clear need for assistance to individual homeowners and to public infrastructure.

“The people of Hawaii, especially the people of Puna, suffered a devastating impact, as we all know,” he said.

After Kenoi’s press conference, he and Abercrombie issued a joint statement: “The state and the County of Hawaii are working together to gather sufficient additional information, including socio-economic data, to justify a successful appeal.”

They added: “In the meantime, county, state and other federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, are providing support under their own authorities. The state also remains eligible for a declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will enable qualified individuals and businesses to receive low-interest loans for repairs.”

As part of the FEMA process, the county’s Office of Housing and Community Development and the National Guard verified and documented the extent of Iselle’s damage. But it was not enough for FEMA.

“The people of Hawaii, especially the people of Puna, suffered a devastating impact, as we all know.” — Mayor Billy Kenoi

“FEMA’s requirements require a number of homes to be classified as major damage or destroyed, and a value amount — $647,000,” Kenoi said.

He said he expected the state to meet the cost criteria but said there may be disagreements with FEMA over what is major versus minor damage, and whether it would take less than 30 days or more than 30 days to repair.

“We knew we didn’t have the number criteria of the homes to determine that part, but there are other factors in FEMA’s decision,” he said. “One is the trauma impact on the community. Another is the community need. The socio-economic factors. And we believe Puna classifies under that criteria.”

Some 1,600 Puna residents are reportedly still without electrical power.

Application Details Extent of Damage

The governor submitted the state’s request for FEMA funds to the president Aug. 21, detailing the many reasons why disaster relief should be made available. The application provides a comprehensive view of the extent of the damage.

When Iselle hit the Big Island, winds toppled large albizia trees, many of which knocked out power lines. This left at least 33,000 Hawaii Electric Light Co. customers without electricity and running water, some of them for several days.

Ice became one of the most important commodities during this time, to help keep food and medication from spoiling. More than 130 tons of ice were delivered to the Big Island from Oahu to help meet the demand.

Shelters were set up in all counties to help take in evacuees from the storm. The American Red Cross alone opened 31 evacuation shelters that housed a peak population of about 2,200. A shelter opened at the Pahoa Community Center in the Puna district took in about 30 residents at its peak.

At least one death is attributed to the storm: a woman in her early 20s who was swept out to the ocean.

The state’s application highlighted that Puna is the most impoverished district in the the state, with more than 12 percent unemployment and about 28 percent of residents living below the poverty line. It was by far the hardest hit area during the storm, and the state noted many people suffering damage were underinsured.

The governor said in the application that the state spent about $1.3 million on response efforts and sustained $13.2 million in damage and debris expenses, which exhausted the state’s major disaster fund. To replenish those lost dollars, Abercrombie will have to shift money from the state’s general fund.

Extra money was also spent to hold a postponed election for two Puna precincts that were shut down Aug. 9 due to the storm, although no dollar figure was provided for how much this actually cost the state.

At least one death is attributed to the storm: a woman in her early 20s who was swept out to the ocean during a flash flood on Kauai.

Hawaii’s agriculture industry, particularly on the Big Island, sustained major damage as well, with preliminary estimates from the Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United coming in at $66 million. 

The papaya farmers were hit especially hard, sustaining damage to an estimated 60 percent of its crop. Estimated cost to replant and replenish is approximately $22.7 million, with the total two-year cost in damage and lost revenue $56 million.