Hawaii Quake Damage Estimated at $50M
Pastor Dale Morgan
Hawaii Quake Damage Estimated at $50M*
Wednesday October 18, 2006 1:46 AM
By SCOTT LINDLAW
Associated Press Writer
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) - Preliminary damage estimates from the
earthquake that shook Hawaii over the weekend hit $50 million on
Tuesday, and President Bush declared a major disaster, opening the way
for federal aid.
Damage to seven schools and a harbor on the island of Hawaii accounted
for most of the preliminary figure, said Janet Snyder, a spokeswoman for
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim. Damage to businesses, homes, roads and
bridges accounted for the rest.
``These figures are going to change radically, I believe,'' because
information continued to stream in, Snyder said.
The damage estimate included $31 million for schools, $8 million at
Kawaihae harbor, $4.89 million to businesses, $650,000 to homes,
$800,000 to roads and $750,000 to bridges, Snyder said. A statewide
figure, including damage to the other islands, was not available.
The president's disaster declaration makes federal aid available to the
state and local governments and nonprofit organizations for debris
removal and other emergency purposes.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency team arrived on the island of
Hawaii on Tuesday to begin surveying damage.
Sunday's magnitude-6.7 earthquake was the strongest to hit the islands
in more than two decades. No deaths or serious injuries were reported,
and the damage appeared to be scattered, allowing most tourists and
residents to resume life as normal.
The quake struck near Hawaii's Big Island, a 4,000-plus-square-mile isle
with a population of 167,000. Most of its land is undeveloped or
agricultural.
By comparison, the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that struck the Los Angeles
area in 1994 caused $25 billion in damage.
The damage estimate is key because it could become part of the state's
request for federal assistance.
The quake was the second major natural disaster to hit Hawaii this year.
In April, heavy rains pounded the islands, contributing to a dam break
that killed seven people. The rain also caused a major sewer line to
rupture, closing Waikiki beaches.
The state estimated that the flood damage exceeded $50 million. It is
spending tens of millions more to replace sewer lines.
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Associated Press Writers Jaymes Song and Audrey McAvoy contributed to
this report.