UH flood damage figure
at $80 million and rising

The state must decide this month
if it will seek disaster funding

Damage estimates from the Oct. 30 flood at the University of Hawaii-Manoa are now between $80 million and $100 million, a UH spokeswoman said yesterday.

The new estimate comes as the university continues to tally insurance claims from the disaster.

The claims total about $80 million so far and are still coming in, said UH spokeswoman Carolyn Tanaka.

The state has a $25 million limit on its insurance policy.

"Obviously, we're pretty certain we've gone over the $25 million insurance cap," Tanaka said.

The university will be looking to the Legislature and federal funds to make up the difference.

The university also has to evaluate how much insurance payments will go up as it decides how best to handle the cost of cleaning up and rehabilitating the buildings and research affected by the flooding, Tanaka said.

The state has been given an extension until the end of the month to decide whether it will ask for a federal disaster declaration, which would make UH eligible for federal disaster funds.

On Monday, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye toured the damage in Manoa and said he believed the costs would exceed $50 million. He urged university officials not to underestimate the damage and cost of the cleanup.

UH officials are sponsoring a "Mahalo Manoa Breakfast" to recognize the hundreds of UH employees and volunteers who helped with flood relief efforts. The buffet breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. Monday in the Stan Sheriff Center Arena for UH-Manoa employees and invited guests.

The breakfast is being partially underwritten by the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, two unions that represent many UH employees.

Also, more than $115,000 had been donated as of yesterday from more than 1,200 donors to two flood relief funds at the UH Foundation.

"The outpouring of support from the community has been truly heartwarming, said Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert in a press release. "It is clear that the people of our community care deeply about the university and the lives it touches, and we are grateful for every bit of assistance."