REPORT FROM U.S. SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE’S OFFICE – WASHINGTON, D.C.—Kauai and Maui will receive $400,000 to create 20 temporary positions dedicated to the cleanup and repair of public structures, homes and land damaged by the heavy rains that inundated Hawaii in March, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.
The money comes from a National Emergency Grant (NEG) administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will distribute the funds.
“With unfortunate, increasing frequency, we see severe weather like we did in March when violent storm systems pelted our islands with heavy rain and golf ball sized hail stones. Many homes, businesses and public areas located in low lying areas were badly damaged by flooding. I would like to thank the administration for creating jobs for dislocated workers by investing in repairs that will greatly benefit the affected communities,” said Senator Inouye.
“The National Emergency Grant will provide relief for families and businesses on Maui and Kauai that have been hard hit by severe storms, landslides, and flooding. I applaud President Obama for recognizing the emergency situation on these neighbor islands and for implementing a solution that provides interim employment for out-of-work kama‘aina,” said Senator Akaka.
“The severe storms that brought heavy rains and even hail to Hawaii this past March caused enough damage to prompt President Obama to declare our state a federal disaster area and make FEMA funds available. This investment in our communities will assist many families while creating good jobs,” said Congresswoman Hirono. “It’s fortunate this kind of help is available during a time of need.”
“This important grant is a win-win. The funding will provide much-needed jobs for dislocated workers while helping our affected communities recover from the aftermath of the March storms. I would like to say mahalo to the administration for their support in our clean-up efforts and their continued investment in job creation,” said Congresswoman Hanabusa.
The NEG funds will be used to:
- Provide temporary employment on projects to assist with clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation, and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities, and lands within the affected communities, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid and safety assistance, as needed.
- Provide core, intensive, and retraining services upon completion of the temporary jobs component for participants for whom permanent work is not available.
- Perform work on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals who are eligible for the Federally-funded weatherization program, with priority given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
Please contact the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations at (808) 586-8812 if you have specific questions about how the funds will be distributed.
For more information on NEGs, please visit https://www.doleta.gov/neg/.