Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

For Immediate Release
October 7, 2020

FEMA Awards $3.7 Million to Hawai’i County to Rebuild Parks Damaged by the Kīlauea Volcanic Eruption

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $3.7 million in disaster recovery grants for the Hawai’i County’s Department of Parks and Recreation to fund ongoing recovery efforts from the Kīlauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes.

The Kīlauea volcanic eruptions and earthquakes caused damages throughout Hawai’i County. The lava flow submerged all of Ahalanui Park and a large portion of Isaac Hale Beach Park.

“While the Kīlauea eruption seems like a long time ago, recovery is still ongoing for Hawai’i Island, and these funds are crucial for the community to rebuild and move on,” said HI-EMA Administrator, Luke Meyers.

FEMA awarded $2.2 million in federal funding for repairs to Ahalanui Park and $1.5 million for repairs to Isaac Hale Beach Park as a result of the 2018 lava eruption.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The HI-EMA works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA approved projects.

FEMA will reimburse the county for 75 percent of eligible park repair costs, and the county will pay the remaining costs.

To date FEMA has obligated $148.6 million for the Public Assistance Program for the lava eruption. For more information visit Kilauea Volcanic Eruption


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