Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, where the council of a county certifies that an area within the county is in need of renewal, redevelopment, or rehabilitation as a result of a seismic wave, flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, volcanic activity, explosion, or other catastrophe, natural or of human origin (herein called "disaster area") respecting which the governor of the State has certified the need for disaster assistance under Public Law 875, Eighty-first Congress (64 Stat. 1109), or other federal law, the council of a county may approve an urban renewal plan and an urban renewal project with respect to the area without regard to:
In the preparation, planning, financing, acquisition, and disposal of real property, and the execution generally of an urban renewal project for disaster areas, a redevelopment agency shall have all of the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities conferred upon the agency by this chapter including any amendment thereof or addition thereto, or by any other law, in the same manner as though all provisions of law relating to urban renewal projects were applicable to the redevelopment and renewal of the disaster areas as in this section provided, subject to the exceptions hereinabove set forth.
HRS § 53-7