Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Joins FEMA Damage Assessment Team in Puna

Press Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) is on Hawai"i Island today to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Preliminary Damage Assessment Team as it visits multiple sites throughout Puna.

"At every level, people have been stepping up to help our neighbors in Puna as they recover and rebuild after Hurricane Iselle," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, whose district includes all of Hawai"i Island. "But we still have too many people in need, requiring great assistance. As I join the FEMA team and representatives from Hawai'i County around the affected areas, I look forward to doing all that I can to expedite federal resources to support the recovery efforts."

This morning in Hilo at the Keaukaha Military Reserve's Emergency Operations Center, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was briefed by Colonel Moses Kaoiwi on the extent of damage caused on Hawaiʻi Island and the mobilization of National Guard troops who are working on the debris removal, clean-up, and road clearing. Other servicemembers are actively delivering basic necessities and resources to residents in need, supporting the work of the non-government organizations on the ground. They discussed the progress of relief efforts for area residents and plans to move forward.

The congresswoman will also spend time assisting in clean-up efforts in the community with local volunteers, and later with Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans and emergency professionals who take on domestic and international operations to help recover disaster areas that are often too remote or dangerous for immediate relief by the Red Cross and United Way.

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard wrote to FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate to request immediate assistance for hurricane-damaged communities in Hawai"i. In the aftermath of the storm, the congresswoman has been conducting outreach to leaders at FEMA, Hawaii Civil Defense, local military and government officials, and her own constituent services liaison on Hawai"i Island.

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