US President Joe Biden has arrived in Maui, nearly two weeks after wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island and killed more than 114 people, for a brief visit where he will console victims and consult with local authorities.
President Biden arrived on Monday in the devastated city of Lahaina after a helicopter tour of burned-out areas with first lady Jill Biden, Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Hawaii’s two senators – Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono – as well as local Representative Jill Tokuda.
President Biden flew over a brown, dusty landscape from the Kahului airport and along the coast and reached the burned out Lahaina community.
In Lahaina, his motorcade passed a number of blackened, burned-out neighbourhoods, interspersed with untouched areas, all across the highway from the blue sea.
Many onlookers greeted the Bidens with the shaka, a hand gesture with a thumb and little finger that signals “Aloha”, which means “all is well” or “thank you” in Hawaii. Others held up raised middle fingers.
President Biden planned to view the wildfire damage, talk with survivors, and then deliver remarks.
“It’s going to be an emotional day for everyone,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton told reporters on Air Force One en route to Maui.
Ms Dalton said President Biden will make clear that he has been concerned about the victims since day one and “intends for his administration to be there for as long as it takes.”
President Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, has been criticised by some Republicans and others for his initial response to the Maui fires. President Biden said on August 10 he would expand federal aid to Hawaii and promised help to anyone who needed it. He went several days without speaking about the tragedy while vacationing at his Delaware beach house.
Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told reporters Monday she has provided President Biden with routine updates and he is “satisfied” with the administration’s response.
The wind-whipped firestorm that raged through Lahaina in west Maui on August 8 killed at least 114 people and the death toll is still mounting. The number of people officially believed missing is 850, down from more than 2000, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said overnight on Facebook.
The White House said Biden has been leading a “whole of government” effort to help Hawaii recover, and Ms Dalton told reporters he approved a Hawaii disaster declaration within about an hour of receiving it. Biden himself said he did not want to travel to Maui until he was assured he would not interfere with emergency response efforts.
The White House on Monday announced the appointment of FEMA Region 9 administrator Bob Fenton as the chief federal response coordinator to oversee a long-term federal recovery effort.
President Biden has travelled to many disaster zones, including places struck by hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, since becoming president in January 2021. His visit on Monday came as Tropical Storm Hilary dumped rain on Southern California and the Southwest.
Maui presents a special challenge as the remains of some of the victims are still being recovered from burned-out buildings.
Ms Criswell said about 85 per cent of the disaster area has been searched, but the remainder includes large, multi-unit buildings that could take some time. She said the administration is working with the state to find new schools for children and combat real estate predators.
– AAP
