HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawaii was approved. Word came late Wednesday afternoon that the governor’s request was granted, as Hurricane Lane approaches the Hawaiian Islands.
The declaration authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide appropriate assistance for emergency measures required to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
“The approval of the Presidential Disaster Declaration means that Hawaii will have quick and efficient access to federal resources in the wake of Hurricane Lane, as our communities and residents recover from any damage and losses caused by the storm. We are grateful to the president and FEMA for the swift approval of our request as our state braces for the severe weather ahead,” Ige said.
An official says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is prepared with several barges with food, water and supplies for Hawaii.
The federal agency moved the supplies into the region ahead of Hurricane Hector, which skirted past the islands more than a week ago.
FEMA Administrator Brock Long said in a telephone news conference Wednesday that the agency has had a team on Hawaii’s Big Island for months after Kilauea volcano began erupting.
Ige also announced the following:
• Hawaii public schools and the Hawaii Department of Education offices across the state will be closed on today and Friday. All University of Hawaii campuses and System offices on Oahu and Kauai will be closed through Sunday. Athletic events for Thursday and Friday are canceled. Offices at the Hawaii State Legislature will be closed on today and Friday.
• The Hawaii Department of Transportation continues to make preparations in an effort to minimize the storm’s impacts to public transportation.
• The state is in the process of closing commercial harbors and ensuring that ships leave the ports. Harbor notices have been sent to all vessel owners, informing them that their vessels must vacate the harbors prior to the storm unless they have written exemptions.
“This is important because the harbors are our lifeline to essentials such as food and products. We must protect the harbors and piers so that shipping operations can resume once the storm has passed,” Ige said.
• HDOT is closing or may close highways that have been susceptible to flooding and severe weather in the past. The highways include: Kuhio Highway on Kauai’s North Shore, which will be closed on Friday. There will be no guided access connecting Hanalei to Wainiha after the 11 p.m. convoy tonight.
• The state’s 15 airports and their runways will remain open and accessible, barring any infrastructure damage or debris that would make flight operations unsafe.
• The Hawaii Tourism Authority urges visitors to heed hurricane-related notices and warnings from airlines, hotels and the media. Hotels are well prepared to handle a crisis.
• Outreach workers started notifying homeless campers on Tuesday, that Hurricane Lane would pose a significant threat to life and property. Workers especially focused on campers in low lying areas near streams. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and HDOT staff are assisting with outreach to homeless individuals who live on state lands.
• The United States Postal Service announced that mail will be delivered but all post offices will be closed today; there will be no mail pickup from blue USPS mail boxes.
