Big Isle panel OKs bill
for disaster repair fund
HILO >> The Hawaii County Council will decide whether to create a $5 million fund to pay for repairs after natural disasters.
The Council's Finance Committee approved a measure yesterday to create the fund.
The measure was proposed by Council Chairman James Arakaki, who said it would be used to "help us help people get back on their feet" after a natural disaster.
Arakaki wants the Council to designate between $100,000 and $500,000 each year for the fund, until the total amount reaches $5 million.
The county currently budgets $300,000 annually to remove storm debris from public roadways.
Arakaki also wants to earmark money for additional expenses, such as repairing facilities and infrastructure.
"Sometimes FEMA money takes six months to get," he said, referring to money provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help local communities recover.
The Council will take up the measure later this month.