Hawaii estimates tsunami damage at $30 million

Hawaii disaster response officials are estimating the state suffered damages exceeding $30 million after a devastating Japanese earthquake sent a tsunami across the Pacific Ocean earlier this month.

Hawaii State Civil Defense reported Thursday that damages to private property amounted to $22 million, and government property damages reached $8.5 million.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he will seek federal disaster declaration from President Barack Obama. The declaration would trigger federal assistance for repairs to public structures — including piers, moorings, planks, electrical wiring and roads — that were damaged by tsunami waves on March 11.

Aid for businesses damaged by the tsunami could come from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides low-interest loans.