Lingle provides disaster
relief for Mapunapuna area
Gov. Linda Lingle made state funds available for people in Mapunapuna whose homes or businesses were flooded or damaged during heavy rains this month.
Lingle signed a disaster proclamation last night that made personal loans of up to $35,000 and business loans of up to $75,000 available through the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Some business owners have estimated their losses to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The governor's proclamation came one day after the U.S. Small Business Administration denied a request for low-interest federal loans for flood victims. State officials had said earlier that not enough businesses were affected to qualify for the 4 percent interest federal disaster loans.
Dozens of homes and businesses suffered water and mud damage after heavy rains caused floods on Dec. 7 and 8. The rain caused Moanalua Stream to overflow and drainage systems to back up.
"While we were fortunate that the flood damage was not widespread, for those people whose homes or businesses were damaged, this is still a disaster," Lingle said in a press release.
DBEDT will provide details on applying for the state loans.