Discussion · House of Representatives
Jill N. Tokuda Democrat
“Hurricane Lala caused massive flooding and damage in Hawaii. Homes, schools, and roads were destroyed, and thousands lost power. The federal government gave us emergency aid, but we need a major disaster declaration and direct help for families, farmers, and businesses to rebuild.”
“Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Lala never technically made landfall in Hawaii, but disasters aren’t measured by whether the eye of a storm crosses a shoreline. They are measured by what they leave behind, and Lala left devastation. Over 3 days, an estimated 1.3 trillion gallons of rain fell across our State. Hawaii Island took the brunt of it, with some communities seeing 20 to 40 inches. I saw the damages myself. At Na’alehu Elementary, buildings were pushed off their foundations by the force of water and debris. Parts of Highway 11 were washed away. At Na’alehu Cemetery, floodwaters tragically disturbed the resting place of generations of loved ones. Hundreds of homes across Hawaii were damaged or destroyed. At the height of the storm, over 200,000 people were left without power. However, I also saw Hawaii at its best: neighbors checking on neighbors, community hubs feeding families, supplies flown in by helicopter and carried on horseback to communities cut off by damaged roads, school workers preparing food and hygiene supplies for our ``children,’’ ``keiki,’’ even while their campuses were closed. When disaster strikes, Hawaii shows up. Now Washington needs to show up for Hawaii. I am grateful the President approved an emergency declaration, bringing critical FEMA resources to Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties, but we need a major disaster declaration and individual assistance to help our families, farmers, and small businesses recover. The storm may be gone, but the emergency is not. Families are still without power. People still need food, medicine, clothing, and basic necessities. Roads, homes, schools, farms, and businesses need to be repaired and rebuilt. Even as we recover, we have to prepare, because the Pacific is still churning. More storms are coming, and they will not wait for Hawaii to recover. We need to replenish supplies, strengthen critical infrastructure, restore essential services, and make sure our most isolated communities are prepared to withstand whatever comes next. Help our people recover, prepare for what is coming next, and do it now. That is what Hawaii needs from Washington.”
Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Lala never technically made landfall in Hawaii, but disasters aren’t measured by whether the eye of a storm crosses a shoreline. They are measured by what they leave behind, and Lala left devastation. Over 3 days, an estimated 1.3 trillion gallons of rain fell across our State. Hawaii Island took the brunt of it, with some communities seeing 20 to 40 inches. I saw the damages myself. At Na’alehu Elementary, buildings were pushed off their foundations by the force of water and debris. Parts of Highway 11 were washed away. At Na’alehu Cemetery, floodwaters tragically disturbed the resting place of generations of loved ones. Hundreds of homes across Hawaii were damaged or destroyed. At the height of the storm, over 200,000 people were left without power. However, I also saw Hawaii at its best: neighbors checking on neighbors, community hubs feeding families, supplies flown in by helicopter and carried on horseback to communities cut off by damaged roads, school workers preparing food and hygiene supplies for our ``children,’’ ``keiki,’’ even while their campuses were closed. When disaster strikes, Hawaii shows up. Now Washington needs to show up for Hawaii. I am grateful the President approved an emergency declaration, bringing critical FEMA resources to Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties, but we need a major disaster declaration and individual assistance to help our families, farmers, and small businesses recover. The storm may be gone, but the emergency is not. Families are still without power. People still need food, medicine, clothing, and basic necessities. Roads, homes, schools, farms, and businesses need to be repaired and rebuilt. Even as we recover, we have to prepare, because the Pacific is still churning. More storms are coming, and they will not wait for Hawaii to recover. We need to replenish supplies, strengthen critical infrastructure, restore essential services, and make sure our most isolated communities are prepared to withstand whatever comes next. Help our people recover, prepare for what is coming next, and do it now. That is what Hawaii needs from Washington.