Feds declare Kauai disaster area given drought

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department has designated Kauai County as a disaster area because of ongoing drought.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a letter sent Wednesday to Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie that the declaration will give farmers access to assistance.

The letter says Kauai is on the list because it has had at least eight straight weeks of severe drought during the growing season.

Honolulu, Hawaii and Maui counties already have the designation.