Government officials in the state of Hawaii have penned a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to “act swiftly” on Gov. David Ige’s (D) presidential disaster declaration request, following the severe weather and flooding that impacted much of the state in December.
According to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz's website, Schatz (D-HI) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), as well as U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) and Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele (D-HI), cosigned the letter saying that they were in support of Ige’s request stemming from the weather incidents occurring between Dec. 4 and 10. Specifically requested was the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Public Assistance for Maui County and the city and county of Honolulu.
“Last month, the severe storms in Hawaii led to flooding, landslides and significant damage,” Schatz posted on Facebook Jan. 20. “That’s why our congressional delegation is calling on President Joe Biden to support the state’s disaster declaration request, so that we have all the federal resources we need to help impacted communities rebuild and recover.
The letter said the impacts of the weather system, known as a “Kona Low,” were “significant” and included heavy rain, flash floods, landslides, high winds, high waves and swell, waterspouts, severe thunderstorms and hail. A large amount of rain fell on Hawaii County on Dec. 5 and then moved slowly across the state until Dec. 8. During this time period, 12.83 inches of rain was reported on Oahu.
On Dec. 6, there was a record 7.92 inches of rainfall. The maximum rainfall on Maui hit 12.89 inches during the three-day time period. Hawaii County received 14.26 inches of rain, and there were wind gusts of more than 100 miles per hour at the top of Mauna Kea, which led to a blizzard warning. Waves reached up to 30 feet high as well.
This weather caused extensive damage and disruption to everyday life. In Maui County, there were 22,000 residents with extended power outages. All Maui public schools were closed, and severe flooding caused the Piilani Highway closure and residents were forced to evacuate. Homes were damaged and vehicles were washed away. There was also damage to the Iwilei power substation. Honolulu suffered significant flood damage and power outages. Waist-deep water was reported on Interstate H-1, leading to the closure of the busiest highway in the state.
“These impacts have disrupted lives and damaged property, forcing some residents to evacuate their homes,” the letter stated. "Recovery from this destructive storm is further complicated by the continuing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and the contamination of drinking water at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and surrounding communities. As such, the people of Hawaii need all available assistance from the federal government to recover from the storm amid these ongoing crises.”