Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Expresses Support For Approval Of Hawai‘i’s Presidential Disaster Declaration Request Following Severe Rain And Flooding Across State

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai'i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai'i) today expressed their support for consideration of Governor Josh Green's request for a presidential disaster declaration for communities across the state impacted by heavy rain and severe flooding. U.S. President Donald J. Trump's approval of the request would help ensure that affected communities can access critical federal funding and resources needed to support response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.

"We write in support of Governor Josh Green's March 23, 2026, request that you issue a Major Disaster Declaration for Hawai'i. The storms are causing continued damage to our infrastructure and utilities, with flood watches and warnings still in effect for parts of the State. Landslides, floodwaters, and debris caused washouts and closures of roadways," the delegation wrote in their letter to President Trump. "Prior to this disaster, our communities were still rebuilding from devastating wildfires in Maui and Hawai'i Counties that claimed 102 lives and destroyed more than 2,000 structures. State and County officials now need federal support for the extensive repairs required for flood-damaged homes, small businesses, roads, and public facilities across the islands."

"As you know, approval of a disaster declaration can make a real difference for families and communities working to recover and rebuild. We appreciate the Trump administration's continued attention to ensuring Americans have access to the federal support and resources they need in the aftermath of natural disasters," the delegation continued. "We are grateful for your consideration of this request, and we look forward to working with your administration in the months and years ahead to help Hawai'i recover and rebuild."

The full text of the delegation's letter can be found below and is available here.

Dear President Trump:

We write in support of Governor Josh Green's March 23, 2026, request that you issue a Major Disaster Declaration for Hawai'i. We ask that you consider expediting all federal assistance possible to help the State recover from the severe and ongoing impacts of two consecutive Kona Low weather systems that struck from March 10-16, 2026, and again beginning on March 19, 2026. As you know, approval of a disaster declaration can make a real difference for families and communities working to recover and rebuild. We appreciate the Trump administration's continued attention to ensuring Americans have access to the federal support and resources they need in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Heavy rain and strong winds from a powerful Kona Low, a type of seasonal extratropical cyclone, began impacting Hawai'i on March 10, 2026. The slow-moving system brought torrential rainfall across the State. Over a five-day period, 46 inches of rain fell on parts of Maui, and wind gusts of over 100 miles per hour were recorded across Maui and Hawai'i Counties. Before the State could recover, a second storm hit-forcing thousands of people to evacuate, washing away homes, and requiring emergency responders to rescue hundreds of people with the support of the Hawai'i National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard assets. Throughout the storms, shelters were open across the State.

The storms are causing continued damage to our infrastructure and utilities, with flood watches and warnings still in effect for parts of the State. Landslides, floodwaters, and debris caused washouts and closures of roadways. Thousands of customers remained without electricity as of March 22 because of public safety shutoffs. There were water outages for hundreds of homes, wastewater discharges on O?ahu, and boil water notices and brown water advisories issued across the islands. Critical facilities closed across the State, and Kula Hospital on Maui evacuated patients because of extensive water damage.

Assessments are ongoing, but the State estimates that the damage from the storms may exceed $1 billion. Prior to this disaster, our communities were still rebuilding from devastating wildfires in Maui and Hawai'i Counties that claimed 102 lives and destroyed more than 2,000 structures. State and County officials now need federal support for the extensive repairs required for flood-damaged homes, small businesses, roads, and public facilities across the islands.

To effectively respond to these needs, we support the Governor's request for the following assistance:

• A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawai'i;
• Public Assistance Categories A-G for all affected counties;
• Individual Assistance for households where Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments confirm eligibility;
• A 90 percent federal cost share, as combined damages far exceed the State's cost share adjustment threshold under 44 C.F.R. § 206.47; and
• Authorization of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

We are grateful for your consideration of this request, and we look forward to working with your administration in the months and years ahead to help Hawai'i recover and rebuild.

Sincerely,

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