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Hawaii lawmakers briefed on Kona Low farm damage as presenters urge disaster declaration and immediate aid
Summary
Presenters told joint agriculture and environment committees on April 1 that the March Kona Low storms have produced at least $23 million in reported direct farm damages affecting hundreds of producers, and urged a presidential disaster declaration, state grants, and faster access to federal programs.
On April 1, members of joint Senate and House agriculture and environment committees in Honolulu heard that the March Kona Low storms have caused extensive damage to farms and ranches across the state, with more than 380 producers reporting about $23 million in direct losses so far and presenters warning losses could rise substantially when economic multipliers are applied.
Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, told the committees that “resilience does not replace resources” and that without prompt, targeted support the state risks reducing agricultural production and losing producers. Miyamoto and other speakers said a presidential disaster declaration (the governor submitted a request on March 24) would unlock FEMA, USDA and other federal programs that can accelerate recovery.
The briefing assembled producer groups and state agencies to outline current aid and outstanding gaps. Hunter Hevelin, advocacy director with the Hawaii Farmers Union,…
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