Hawaii's emergency agency believes damage from Hurricane Lala is severe enough to qualify for federal aid, which would be good news for storm-hit residents facing repair bills.

• Hawaii's emergency management agency will ask for a federal disaster declaration after Lala.
• Damage teams head to Hawaii County starting Monday because it was hit hardest.
• The Hawaii National Guard will help survey the damage from the air.
• Officials say the damage already looks bad enough to clear the bar for a presidential disaster declaration.

Outlook: Once the damage surveys are done, the request goes up the chain, and approval would unlock federal money for rebuilding.