HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 628 Draft 01 2016-2018 J��v os ti;,'
COUNTY OF HAWAII ;f .-k' :t STATE OF HAWAII
it:+ ao,;;w:-P.�
F oF•Np�-
RESOLUTION NO. 628 18
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE IN
A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS EMERGENCY FUNDING ASSISTANCE FOR
HAWAII COUNTY DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF THE ONGOING DISASTER
CAUSED BY VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND LAVA INUNDATION OF HOMES,
FARMS, AND BUSINESSES IN LOWER PUNA. •
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2018, active fissures began opening and emitting molten lava in
the Leilani Estates subdivision located on the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea
volcano in the district of Puna; and
WHEREAS, as of May 25, 2018, a total of 23 fissures were active, at least 82 structures
had been destroyed, main roads had been cut off, dangerous gasses continued to threaten the
area, and more than 1,000 people had evacuated their homes, farms, and in some cases their
livelihoods; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai`i is formulating its fiscal year 2018-2019 budget,
which includes approximately $5 million in its disaster and emergency fund, and according to
estimates made by the Finance Director, after the first week of this disaster,projected losses in
real property tax revenues in the impacted area already total over $3 million, which after
adjustments and other considerations could actually be as high as $12 million; and
WHEREAS, the impact of this disaster has also resulted in economic losses to local
businesses and to the local fishing industry, as the Pohoiki boat ramp is inaccessible; and
WHEREAS, Hawai`i Island is mobilized with three pet friendly emergency shelters
operating in the area, and the dedicated members of the Hawai`i County Civil Defense, Hawai`i
National Guard, Hawai`i County Fire, and Police all working overtime keeping citizens safe and
protecting vacated residences; and
WHEREAS, from May 3, 2018 to May 20, 2018, the County of Hawai`i incurred at least
$1,381,121 in unanticipated costs including; overtime, road repairs, security, and provision of
shelter and basic necessities for many of the residents that have been displaced; and
WHEREAS, without any indication that this eruption event will dramatically decrease in
volume or duration, the County of Hawai`i anticipates impacts to the 2018-2019 operating
budget to exceed $4 million; and
WHEREAS, emergency declarations have been issued by Governor David Ige and by
President Donald Trump due to the ongoing volcanic eruptions and lava inundation in the Lower
Puna District of Hawai`i Island, however any funding assistance received from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency will be in the form of reimbursements for qualified
expenditures and requires a twenty-five percent match from the County; now,therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
urges the Hawai`i State Legislature to convene in a special session to address emergency funding
assistance for Hawai`i County due to volcanic eruptions and lava inundation of homes, farms,
and businesses in Lower Puna.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor, and all members of the Hawaii State Senate and
House of Representatives.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 19th day of June , 2018 .
INTRODUCED BY:
efedfn 19?,i)griziec_
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL Y _ ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG X
DAVID X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KA1wUHA X
County of Hawai`i on JnnP 19, 2018 -- NUHA
LEE I,OY _— X
O'HARA X
ATTEST: POINDEXTER X
RICHARDS X
RUGGLES X
110 „d(4
C�i`�fir, -- �
�J Refer9 0 0
ence: C-962/Waived GREDC0
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 628 18
2