FEMA reports $25M in Hawaii quake relief

HILO » Federal Emergency Management Agency officials say they have provided $25 million in grants and loans to 2,000 families and individuals since two major earthquakes rocked the Big Island on Oct. 15.

FEDERAL QUAKE FUNDS FOR ISLES FEMA has distributed $25 million in benefits since the Oct. 15 earthquakes. This includes: » $16,306,400 in low-interest disaster loans. » $8,585,209 in housing grants » $43,310 for needs such as transportation and dental expenses. » $5,000 in emergency agricultural loans.

The two largest blocks of money through FEMA were $16.3 million in Small Business Administration loans for 459 homes and businesses, and $8.6 million in grants from the FEMA Housing Program.

FEMA also announced that Big Island residents who suffered damage from those quakes or aftershocks and have not filed claims for damages, have until 6 p.m. Friday to register for benefits.

Those with agricultural damage have until July 9 to file.

Registration with FEMA can be done between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Hawaii time by calling (800) 621-FEMA. The TTY number is (800) 462-7585.

Meanwhile, the deadline to apply for Hawaii County benefits is Tuesday, but Mayor Harry Kim is asking the County Council to extend an emergency declaration, effectively delaying the deadline to September.

The primary benefit of the county declaration is a waiver of building permit fees and a relaxation of the schedule for submitting construction drawings, the county said.

To contact the county for appropriate forms, call 961-8321 or check www.co.hawaii.hi.us and click on "earthquake emergency information."

Besides money distributed, FEMA checked 3,536 homes and the county conducted 1,679 property inspections.

Of 67 buildings given red tags (not fit for occupancy) by the county, 33 remain. Of 227 yellow tags (occupancy restricted), 92 remain, the county said.