People look over South Kihei Road after heavy rain from a strong kona storm caused widespread damage in the area. Eli Pace/The Maui News

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii following two powerful storms in March, Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday.

The two kona low storms over back-to-back weekends brought record rainfall and strong winds, leading to landslides, erosion and flooded roadways, businesses and homes across Maui County and other parts of the state.

In a statement, Green said he spoke with the Secretary of Homeland Security, who confirmed that Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaii.

The declaration provides access to additional federal resources for response and early recovery efforts, which the governor called “an important first step.”

Green said the designation establishes a cost-sharing partnership between the state and federal government for recovery efforts.

Early damage estimates from the storms exceeded $1 billion.

“The recovery from these storms will be long and difficult and will require constant collaboration with the counties and the federal administration,” Green said. “I am confident that, as with other recent disasters, we will benefit from the aloha we share for each other and our collaborative approach with anyone who can offer assistance.”