(AP) — Federal officials have approved Gov. David Ige’s request to declare a disaster for Maui County amid worsening drought conditions that have persisted for two years. Even as parts of the county experience heavy rain and flooding this week, other parts remain in some of the worst possible drought conditions. Maui County includes the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Ige declared an emergency proclamation for the county after drought conditions forced starving axis deer into agricultural and developed areas. Ranchers and farmers have suffered significant economic losses and the deer have added to the already difficult drought condition

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