$2.2M is set aside for flood victims

About $2.2 million in federal and state disaster assistance has been approved for Oahu residents whose property was damaged during the early December storms and flooding, a Federal Emergency Management Agency news release said.

Of that amount, $1.6 million has been approved for temporary housing, repairs and renters' assistance. The rest went to other needs.

About 880 households or businesses have applied for federal disaster assistance. The Small Business Administration has received 890 loan applications and approved $152,600 in loans.

Those who have not yet registered for disaster assistance have until 6 p.m. March 6 to register by phone by calling (800) 621-FEMA or TTY (800) 462-7585. Online registration is available at www.disasterassistance.gov until midnight March 6.

Loan applications for the SBA must be completed and sent in by March 6.

Filipino vets to get 1-time payout

Filipino veterans of World War II are a step closer to receiving recognition after Congress included the authorization to release payments for their services in the economic stimulus bill, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said in a news release.

The authorization will allow the release of $198 million that was previously appropriated, enabling one-time payments of $15,000 to veterans who are U.S. citizens and $9,000 to noncitizens.

“;The provision included in the (stimulus package), which authorizes a one-time payment to eligible Filipino veterans who served honorably during World War II, is a matter of honor,”; Inouye said in the release.

The $198 million for payments to Filipino World War II veterans was appropriated in a resolution signed into law by President George W. Bush.

City to smoke out sewer problems

City crews will pump smoke into sewer lines to test the waste-water collection system in Wahiawa from Tuesday to Friday and Feb. 24-27, a news release said.

The tests are part of the city's maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system and causing spills.

Crews will pump smoke into sewer lines and check whether any escapes. The smoke is nontoxic, harmless and odorless. It is not a fire hazard nor hazardous to humans or pets.

The city will test California Avenue, Eames Street, Hoolulu Road, Hoomaha Street, Kalala Street, Kalie Street, Koikoi Street, Moala Place, Moe Moe Place, Nakula Street, Uluwehi Street, Uluwehi Place, Uuku Street, Walea Street and Walea Uka Place.