Kailua-Kona, Hawaii ? Preliminary damage estimates from the earthquake that shook Hawaii over the weekend hit $46 million Tuesday, and President Bush declared a major disaster, opening the way for federal aid.

Damage to seven schools and a harbor on the island of Hawaii accounted for most of the preliminary figure, said Janet Snyder, a spokeswoman for Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim. Damage to businesses, homes, roads and bridges accounted for the rest.

“These figures are going to change radically, I believe,” because information continued to stream in, Snyder said.

The president’s disaster declaration makes federal aid available to the state and local governments and nonprofit organizations for debris removal and other emergency purposes.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency team arrived Tuesday on the island of Hawaii to begin surveying damage.

Sunday’s magnitude-6.7 earthquake was the strongest to hit the islands in more than two decades. No deaths or serious injuries were reported, and the damage appeared to be scattered, allowing most tourists and residents to resume life as normal.

The quake struck near Hawaii’s Big Island, a 4,000-plus-square-mile isle with a population of 167,000. Most of its land is undeveloped or agricultural.

By comparison, the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that struck the Los Angeles area in 1994 caused $25 billion in damage.

Despite the damage, state officials want to dispel ideas that Hawaii-bound tourists should change plans.

“We are open for business,” Gov. Linda Lingle said.