Federal disaster declared after historic Kona storms

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi following the destructive Kona low storms that struck the islands last month.

Governor Josh Green confirmed the decision, calling it a critical step in unlocking federal resources for recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The declaration allows for coordinated support between state and federal agencies, accelerating emergency response and long-term recovery planning.

Damage estimated at $1 billion

Officials estimate that the storms caused around $1 billion in damages to infrastructure, including roads, schools, and homes across the islands.

Governor Green emphasized that recovery will be a long and complex process, requiring sustained cooperation between local authorities and the federal government.

Historic rainfall and widespread flooding

The back-to-back Kona storms brought extraordinary rainfall, with the University of Hawaiʻi estimating more than 2 trillion gallons of water fell across the islands — enough to fill millions of Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The resulting floods inundated communities such as Wahiawā on Oʻahu, where a dam came dangerously close to failure, threatening thousands of lives and properties.

Ongoing impact across multiple islands

Severe flooding and storm damage affected multiple regions, including Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.

Cleanup operations are still underway, with communities dealing with mud, debris, sinkholes, and infrastructure damage.

Schools were forced to close in several areas, while transportation and utilities continue to face disruptions.

A long road to recovery

Governor Green described the recovery as a “long and difficult” process but expressed confidence in the collaborative response efforts.

The disaster declaration follows a formal request sent to the White House last month, highlighting the scale of destruction and urgency for assistance.