Posted on: Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Mapunapuna flood victims can get state aid

Associated Press

Gov. Linda Lingle signed a disaster proclamation yesterday opening up state money to residents whose homes or businesses were damaged by flooding on O'ahu earlier this month.

Business owners in Mapunapuna and surrounding areas reported hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage caused by flooding during heavy rain Dec. 7 and 8.

The U.S. Small Business Administration denied a request for federal loans to flood victims, but Lingle's proclamation yesterday makes some assistance available.

"While we were fortunate that the flood damage was not widespread, for those whose homes or businesses were damaged, this is still a disaster," Lingle said.

Homeowners can qualify for personal loans of up to $35,000 through the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, according to the state Civil Defense Division. Businesses can qualify for loans of up to $75,000.