- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Wahiawa Today
By the People, for the People
Hawaii Faces $1B in Storm Recovery Costs, Seeks Federal Aid
State braces for potential cuts to FEMA funding and disaster mitigation under new administration
Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:05am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Hawaii is facing at least $1 billion in recovery costs from two destructive Kona-low storms that hit the state in March 2026. The state is seeking aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but with the Trump administration's plans to slash federal spending and shift disaster response to local governments, the state's request faces uncertainty. Hawaii's governor is taking a pragmatic approach to working with the federal government, but the looming recovery needs are massive, including helping displaced families, repairing damaged infrastructure, and strengthening flood protection.
Why it matters
Hawaii's reliance on federal disaster aid and FEMA's role in recovery efforts have become a major focus, as the state braces for potential cuts to funding and mitigation efforts under the new administration. This highlights the state's vulnerability to natural disasters and the need to strengthen its own disaster preparedness and infrastructure, even as it seeks urgent federal assistance.
The details
The $1 billion in recovery costs includes helping families who lost homes, supporting farmers whose operations were wiped out, repairing damaged roads and infrastructure, and addressing safety concerns related to evacuation capabilities. The state also needs to take over and strengthen the Wahiawa Dam, protect other areas threatened by flooding, and repair decrepit infrastructure like dams and drainage systems statewide.
- The two destructive Kona-low storms hit Hawaii on March 10-16 and March 19-20, 2026.
- Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, met with the new Department of Homeland Security chief, Markwayne Mullin, about the state's disaster relief needs.
The players
Josh Green
The governor of Hawaii who has taken a pragmatic approach to working with the Trump administration, while also showing his disagreement in certain cases.
Markwayne Mullin
The new Department of Homeland Security chief, who met with Governor Green about Hawaii's disaster relief needs.
Rick Blangiardi
The mayor of Honolulu who is working with the state government and the U.S. military to secure temporary housing for flood victims.
What’s next
Governor Green and state legislators must continue to work with the federal government to secure the necessary disaster relief funding, while also preparing to shoulder a higher proportion of the costs for disaster response and mitigation in the future.
The takeaway
This disaster highlights Hawaii's vulnerability to natural disasters and the state's heavy reliance on federal aid, which faces uncertainty under the new administration's plans to reduce federal spending and shift more responsibility to local governments. Hawaii must strengthen its own disaster preparedness and infrastructure, even as it seeks urgent federal assistance for the current recovery efforts.
