JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kailua resident Esmond Marks filled out paperwork, with the assistance of Josephine Malama of the state Department of Taxation, at the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center set up at Waimanalo District Park yesterday. Marks says he will have to repair his retaining wall, which was damaged in recent flooding.
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Flood victims hoping for disaster declaration
Lost revenue cannot be recovered without federal help
Eleni Aikau started growing her own herbs for her aromatherapy products after heavy rain destroyed her supply from Waialua farmers two winters ago. She is learning that farming is not as easy as she thought.
"I did not realize that I would be so dependent on Mother Nature," Aikau said.
Two weeks ago, torrential rain flooded her 2-acre farm in Waimanalo and destroyed her entire crop. She tried to harvest what she could, but in less than 20 minutes, the floodwaters were waist deep.
The herbs she did manage to salvage could not dry properly in the moist air, and the ones left in the ground were contaminated by sewage from her neighbors' overflowing septic tanks.
And an 18-foot section of her farm collapsed into a drainage ditch on the edge of her property.
Aikau went to the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center the state Civil Defense set up yesterday at Waimanalo District Park to find out what kind of assistance was available.
State Civil Defense said 34 families sought assistance and information yesterday at the park. On Thursday, 49 families showed up at the center in the Japanese Cultural Center in Moiliili. For people who were not able to go to either center, 211 operators can direct them to the appropriate agencies.
Aikau learned she does not qualify for an emergency loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but might qualify for a low-interest loan from the state Department of Agriculture to re-establish her operation.
To recover lost revenue, which Aikau estimates at $100,000 to $150,000, requires a disaster declaration from the U.S. Agriculture secretary or the president.
Gov. Linda Lingle asked President Bush on Tuesday to declare the recent heavy rain and flooding a national disaster.
Rosey Rosecrans is also hoping for a presidential disaster declaration. He said the rain and floods two weeks ago destroyed his classic pickup truck, equipment and 1,400 pounds of feed for the 14 horses at his Waimanalo Riding Academy next to the Honolulu Polo Field.
Rosecrans said the 14 horses in his stables suffered rain rot on their skin from standing in chest-deep water. And three ironwood trees fell, damaging heavy pipe panels he used as fencing for his corral.
Rosecrans said he qualifies for a state agriculture loan and has been offered assistance from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, from whom he leases his four acres. But he does not think it will be enough. He believes the bridge over Inoaole Stream needs to be raised to prevent stream water from backing up and flooding nearby areas.
"The only help I see if we are declared a disaster, if FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) comes in and allocates the money," he said.