(Honolulu, HI) – US Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) voted with his House colleagues on May 10 to pass out an extra measure of aid to communities in Hawai‘i hard hit by natural disasters last year. “On May 10 I voted to pass a supplemental appropriations package that will provide $19.1 billion in disaster relief and assistance across the country, including our Hawai‘i,” said Case.
“This bill would help sustain a full response to last year’s flooding on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, as well as the areas impacted by the Kīlauea eruption on the Big Island.”
“The Neighbor Islands bore the brunt of the damage from natural disasters of the past year,” said Congressman Ed Case. “O`ahu was also severely affected and the aftermath was felt throughout the state including disruption of our tourism and agriculture industries and beyond. These sorely needed funds will assist those affected to recover and carry on with their lives.”
The supplemental appropriations bill included funding for these specific programs that would benefit Hawai‘i:
Agriculture Programs: $3.005 billion to help farmers struggling with crop and livestock losses due to various natural disasters including hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, floods and wildfires during 2018 and 2019.
Economic Development Administration and Assistance Programs: This bill includes $600 million for flood mitigation, disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in areas affected by major disasters in 2018 and 2019.
Legal Services Corporation: Allocates $15 million for legal assistance in areas hard hit by natural disasters including hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: This bill includes $82.4 million to repair and restore facilities, roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged by Hurricanes Florence, Lane and Michael and flooding associated with Hawaii mudslides, and the 2018 earthquakes. Of this, $50 million is allocated for coastal resiliency grants.
National Park Service: This bill includes $50 million for the Historic Preservation Fund and $78 million for Construction to repair historic sites and other park assets damaged by hurricanes, typhoons and wildfires.
United States Geological Survey: This bill includes $98.5 million for the United States Geological Survey to repair and replace equipment and facilities damaged by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, wildfires, earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Education Recovery: $165 million to meet the educational needs of students in areas hard hit by natural disasters by restarting school operations, providing assistance to schools receiving displaced students, providing education services to homeless children and young people and providing mental health services to students and staff.
Community Development Block Grants: $2.21 billion to help communities rebuild housing, businesses, and infrastructure in the most impacted and distressed areas affected by major natural disasters.
Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief: $1.65 billion to reimburse states and territories for damage to roads and bridges in the National Highway System.
