The president's declaration authorizes federal relief and recovery assistance in the affected areas, the news release for Lingle's office said.

Lingle sent the request for a disaster declaration on April 11, estimating that damage from the flooding disaster would exceed $50 million. In his response to the governor today, President Bush said individual assistance, public assistance and hazard mitigation will be provided, the release said.

"President Bush understands that, unlike many disasters which threaten people and property for a few hours or a few days, this was a prolonged disaster lasting nearly six weeks," said Lingle in the release.

According to the president's letter to Lingle, "The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will coordinate federal assistance efforts and designate specific areas eligible for such assistance."

Officials from FEMA Region 9 in Oakland, Calif. will arrive in Honolulu later this week to begin the coordination effort. FEMA and State Civil Defense will notify the news media and those people who sustained losses during the flood disaster how to register and apply for assistance, the release said.