Four talk stories this Sunday in Hanalei, Kilauea, Kekaha and Lihu‘e

• Case's Kilauea meeting will focus on federal disaster relief status resulting from Ka Loko dam breach

Washington, D.C. – The status of federal disaster assistance to Kaua‘i following the Ka Loko dam disaster will be the focus of one of four more talk Story town meetings Congressman Ed Case (2nd District, Hawai‘i) will be hosting throughout Kaua‘i this Sunday, July 30, 2006.

Case will resume his long-running series of Talk Stories on Kaua‘i with meetings scheduled in Hanalei, Kilauea, Kekaha and Lihu‘e to complement his previous 18 talk stories on the Garden Island and 143 total statewide since 2003. His Kilauea talk story will follow up on his survey last March of the damage caused by the Ka Loko dam breach and subsequent congressional efforts.

“The Ka Loko disaster remains fresh on all our minds, and I want to hear firsthand the status of federal disaster relief efforts and what more I can do,” said Case. “In addition to the overall safety of our dams, many Members of Congress, myself included, are calling for legislation to improve our nation’s ability to respond to emergencies such as the failure of dams, flooding, and hurricanes. The costly damage from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and other disasters continue to raise questions about the effectiveness of a federal law called the Stafford Act. This law authorizes the president to issue major disaster or emergency declarations in response to disasters that overwhelm state and local governments. When these declarations are made, a range of federal aid may be provided to address temporary housing, uninsured needs of individuals and families, repair public infrastructure, and other needs.”

Case said the Kaua‘i talk stories will address other current issues of the day, including international affairs, ranging from Iraq to North Korea, and national concerns such as the federal budget, Social Security, Medicare, education and the environment. He will also address the status of Kauai-specific efforts, such as traffic and harbor improvements, the war on ice, and other matters.

“My past 164 Talk Stories statewide dating back to early 2003 have reached out directly to thousands in my Second Congressional District, from our Hawai‘i troops stationed in Iraq to our most remote rural communities from Na‘alehu on Hawai‘i Island to Kekaha on Kaua‘i. They have been invaluable to my efforts to provide the best possible representation in our federal government. And they have been extremely well received by those I represent since they bring our federal government to the doorstep of Hawaii's communities.”

The following is a schedule of Case’s Talk Story series on Kaua‘i this Sunday, July 30, 2006:

• North Shore Hanalei Community Center 5-5299 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei 8:00-9:00 a.m.
• Focus: Federal Disaster Assistance Kilauea Neighborhood Center 2460 Keneke 10:00-11:00 a.m.
• West Kaua‘i Kekaha Elementary School Auditorium 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• Lihu‘e Wilcox Elem. School Cafeteria 4319 Hardy Street 4:00-5:00 p.m.