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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, November 8, 2006

4th quake help center is opening

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — The Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening a fourth disaster assistance center on the Big Island Saturday to serve residents of the Hilo area who suffered damage in the Oct. 15 earthquakes.

The center will be at the Pu'u'eo Community Center at Clem Akina Park, 145 Wainaku St.

"The opening of the fourth DRC helps us ensure that residents on both sides of the Big Island have access to recovery assistance and information," said Ed Teixeira, state coordinating officer.

FEMA said all four centers will remain open through Nov. 15.

The other centers are at the Kohala Senior Center in Kapa'au; at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa; and at the Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.

The centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FEMA officials also are urging people who suffered damage in the quakes to register with FEMA by telephone at (800) 621-FEMA, or online at www.fema.gov.

Total damage from the earthquakes has not yet been tallied, but some observers have estimated it will reach $200 million or more.