Multiple sources report that President Trump has approved Hawaii Governor Josh Green’s request for a presidential emergency declaration following Tropical Cyclone Lala, which struck the Hawaiian Islands August 14–16. The declaration unlocks FEMA assistance for Maui County, Hawaii County, and the City and County of Honolulu, covering 75% of eligible emergency protective measures. Nonprofit relief organization Team Rubicon has also expanded ground operations on Maui and Hawaii Island in response to the storm.
- President Trump approved Hawaii’s request for a presidential emergency declaration, authorizing FEMA to provide Category B emergency protective measures under the Stafford Act at 75% federal funding.
- Maui County is among the three jurisdictions covered by the declaration, alongside Hawaii County and the City and County of Honolulu.
- Tropical Cyclone Lala brought 20–40 inches of rain to some areas, causing severe flooding, landslides, and damage or destruction to hundreds of homes, with roads and bridges washed out. (Maui News)
- Requested federal resources include large-capacity emergency generators, temporary microgrid power systems for critical facilities, and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team personnel to assist with human remains displaced at Nāʻālehu Cemetery.
- Veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon deployed approximately two dozen volunteers (‘Greyshirts’) to Maui beginning August 23 to conduct chainsaw operations and clear hurricane debris. (Teamrubiconusa)
- Team Rubicon volunteers had already been deployed on Oʻahu performing home mucking, roof tarping, and debris removal before expanding to Maui and Hawaii Island. (Teamrubiconusa)
- The state will coordinate with FEMA and other federal agencies to deploy resources based on operational needs as recovery efforts continue.
Sources
- Hawaii Free Press: Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Lala
- Teamrubiconusa: Team Rubicon Expands Midwest and Hawaiʻi Disaster Relief Ops
- Maui Now: Hawaiʻi’s request for Presidential Emergency Declaration approved following Tropical Cyclone Lala
- Maui News: Trump approves emergency declaration following Tropical Cyclone Lala
- Bigislandvideonews: President Approves Emergency Declaration For Hawaiʻi Following Hurricane Lala
- Bigislandnow: Presidential emergency declaration, federal assistance approved following Lala
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