State, county set up Disaster Recovery Assistance Centers

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, formerly State Civil Defense, and the County of Hawaii will open this week Disaster Assistance and Recovery Centers to provide information and services to people whose property was damaged when Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall on Aug. 7.

A center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 15, at the Pahoa Community Center. On Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, the center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Gym.

State and county agencies along with nonprofits will be on hand at the DARCs to provide information on available services. Information gathered from visitors to the DARCs will help the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and County of Hawaii evaluate whether the criteria for a federal disaster declaration has been met.

For more information on the DARCs, call HEMA at 733-4300 or email askcivildefense@scd.hawaii.gov.