HILO — Hawaii County officials say they need $800 million to recover from the Kilauea volcano disaster.
HILO — Hawaii County officials say they need $800 million to recover from the Kilauea volcano disaster.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports Managing Director Wil Okabe said last week that the county needs that amount to ensure the island’s long-term recovery from the recent eruption, which destroyed more than 700 homes and damaged infrastructure, including four state highways.
The county previously estimated a figure of $680 million.
Okabe says long-term needs include “emergency response, housing, infrastructure and public facilities, economic recovery, community planning, natural and cultural resources, health and social services.”
Okabe says the county needs $55 million to $60 million immediately.
Rep. Joy San Buenaventura of Puna calls the $800 million figure “a needs assessment, not a legislative” request. San Buenaventura says she thinks $23 million of the $55 million figure for immediate needs have been funded.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
