$3.5M to Go to Big Island Cleanup Efforts

Manys house remain in danger of the lava flows in the East Rift Zone. July 12, 2018. Click to enlarge. PC: HFD

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved up to $3.5 million in grant funding to the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced on July 23, 2018.

The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant will employ approximately 175 individuals to help with the cleanup efforts in areas on Hawai‘i Island that have been impacted by the Kīlauea eruptions and earthquakes.

“With this funding, many people who are already doing the hard work of cleaning up will be paid for their efforts,” said Sen. Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This is one of several steps the federal government has taken to help people rebuild and recover from the volcano, and we’re grateful for the fast and flexible response.”

In May, the White House approved a presidential disaster declaration requested by the State of Hawai‘i. The declaration made the state eligible for significant federal disaster recovery funding.