HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie this afternoon signed a supplemental disaster proclamation to extend necessary emergency functions for Kaua’i and O’ahu islands. This action is in response to National Weather Service forecasts of continuing periods of heavy rains and flooding that are expected to continue through the upcoming weekend.

Earlier this week, the Governor issued a disaster proclamation that allowed for any necessary and appropriate steps to be carried out; and provides for activation of civil defense and other emergency functions to ensure public health and safety.

The supplemental proclamation states:

“Whereas, it has become necessary to supplement my Proclamation of March 6, 2012, in order to provide additional assistance, protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and maintain the strength, resources and economic life of the community … I hereby proclaim the County of Kaua’i and County of Honolulu, State of Hawai’i to be disaster areas for the purpose of authorizing the expenditure of State monies as appropriated for the speedy and efficient relief of the damages, losses, and suffering resulting from the disaster.”

The entire supplemental disaster proclamation can be viewed here:
http://hawaii.gov/gov/newsroom/disaster-emergency-proclamations/SuppEmergencyProc030812.PDF

This is the third disaster proclamation the Governor has issued this year. The first occurring on  March 2, 2012, which authorized the state Department of Transportation to begin emergency highway repair work on Kuhio Highway near Kilauea town on Kaua’i in response to a partial collapse of a 15-foot-diameter culvert running beneath the highway. The collapse occurred following heavy rains that caused soil erosion.