MEDIA RELEASE

HONLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Tuesday will visit areas that were damaged by the tsunami that swept through the islands last week.

Sunday, Governor Abercrombie renewed his efforts in seeking federal money by signing a supplementary proclamation to expand the State of Disaster Proclamation he signed on Friday. The proclamation is the first step in the process of seeking and receiving federal funds to recover and rebuild.

Abercrombie has assigned Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to oversee efforts to ensure that Hawaii maximizes all federal recovery dollars for our tsunami victims. Schatz will explore all possible opportunities, including recovery loans for businesses and residents through the Small Business Administration and other organizations.

State Civil Defense teams and the Department of Land and Natural Resources continue to lead the efforts in assessing all areas that have been affected.

These areas include:

• Oahu: Haleiwa, Keehi Lagoon
• Hawaii: Honokohau Harbor, Milolii, Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua
• Maui: Kahului, Kihei, Spreckelsville
• Molokai: Kamalo

These locations have damage to government facilities, private businesses and residential property. The combined damage is in the tens of millions.

The tsunami was the result of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan at 7:46 p.m. HST on March 10, 2011.

For more information about the State of Disaster Proclamation, please visit http://hawaii.gov/gov