USDA Declares Kauai Drought a Disaster

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday told Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie a recent drought on Kauai qualifies as a federal disaster, according to a letter.

That means Kauai suffered either “severe” drought conditions for eight straight weeks or at some point during the growing season was deemed under “extreme” conditions. The designation means farmers can apply for special federal loans.

Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office added this comment in a statement:

The very dry summer months prolonged and expanded drought conditions throughout the state. A lack of consistent rainfall severely impacts Hawaii’s agricultural industry and lowers water tables and reservoirs on every island. Kauai is the latest county to receive a federal disaster designation due to these conditions. This is an important step that will allow the state and counties to receive federal assistance that will help farmers, ranchers and others adversely impacted by drought conditions. I would like to thank the administration for this critical assistance.

— Michael Levine