WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $6 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds for the Hawaii Department of Transportation to help with repair costs of roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Lala.

“The emergency funding we’re sending to Hawaii will be used to help restore critical highway infrastructure Hawaiians depend on. This Department is committed to securing the transportation links that will make safety and rebuilding efforts possible,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

“The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with the Hawaii Department of Transportation to expedite repairs caused by Hurricane Lala,” said FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster. “The emergency relief funding we are providing will help the state quickly restore essential roads and bridges and allow residents, workers, and businesses to get back to their normal routines.”

From August 15, 2026, to August 16, 2026, the Hawaiian island chain was impacted by Hurricane Lala, which disrupted the state's transportation infrastructure through widespread highway closures, mudslides, and debris. Torrential rain from Hurricane Lala washed out a significant portion of Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) on the Island of Hawaii south of MP 51.5, and the road is currently restricted to single lane access to the north.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation plans on constructing an emergency temporary access road bypassing the washout location and reconstructing the washed-out portion of Mamalahoa Highway. The Emergency Relief funds provided via “quick release” will be used to support these activities, as well as  other activities addressing critical road washouts and bridge abutment scour at multiple locations.

The Emergency Relief funding announced today will allow the Hawaii DOT to proceed expeditiously with initial repairs. FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding to states, territories, Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. These “quick release” Emergency Relief funds are an initial installment of funds toward restoring essential transportation links. Additional funds needed to repair damage in Hawaii will be supported by the Emergency Relief program through nationwide funding allocations.

More information about FHWA’s Emergency Relief program can be found online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm.

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