Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
UNCTAD: The situation in the Palestinian territories is unfolding within a context of overall economic and institutional fragility and is leading to serious social and environmental consequences
UNCTAD: Two years of military operations and restrictions have caused an unprecedented collapse of the Palestinian economy
UNCTAD: Situation in Gaza unique, represents the most severe economic crisis ever recorded
TASS reports 3 people were injured in a drone attack in the Rostov region, after a fire broke out at a facility in the industrial zone
Ukraine's Ministry of energy reports massive attack on energy facilities in the country
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense: One Chinese balloon was spotted in the Taiwan Strait on Monday
Israeli media reports injuries in ramming operation in al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Zionists must remain worried, as they have committed a grave error.
Sheikh Daamoush: All concessions given by Lebanese government to date bore no fruit.
Sheikh Daamoush: It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and sovereignty, government must push plans to that effect and refuse external pressures, diktats.

Biden compares Maui wildfires to kitchen fire he experienced

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 22 Aug 2023 15:22
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

The president is also facing a wave of criticism by Hawaiian residents who received just $700 handed to each affected family by the Biden administration after losing homes and properties. 

  • x
  • US President Joe Biden (second right), US first lady Jill Biden (right), Hawaii Governor Josh Green (second left) and Jaime Green, first lady of Hawaii, visit an area devastated by wildfires in Lahaina on Monday (AFP)
    US President Joe Biden (second right), US first lady Jill Biden (right), Hawaii Governor Josh Green (second left) and Jaime Green, first lady of Hawaii, visit an area devastated by wildfires in Lahaina on Monday. (AFP)

After touring Maui following the wildfires that killed at least 114 people and left 850 missing, US President Joe Biden compared his experience to a small kitchen fire he said he had experienced previously - causing a wave of 'F*** you!' screams as his motorcade went by on the island.

Biden spoke of the loss of his wife and baby daughter in 1972, and then proceeded to compare the wildfires to a kitchen fire at his Delaware home that happened in 2004. The US President didn't stop there, since he continued to ask rescue teams whether their boots were reinforced before commenting on the 'hot ground' beneath their feet as a joke. 

This comes amid a wave of criticism by Hawaiian residents who received just $700 handed for each affected family by the Biden administration after losing homes and properties. 

Before his visit, he delivered a speech in Milwaukee last week and said: "I don't want to get in the way... I want to go make sure we got everything they need. Want to be sure we don't disrupt the ongoing recovery efforts".

Read next: Fishing in troubled waters, investors extort owners for Lahaina land

The president also faced a massive wave of condemnation for his slow response to the disaster, especially after saying 'no comment' when asked for his response to the fires as he left on his vacation to the beach in Delaware. 

Maui resident Ella Sable ​Tacderan expressed to CNN through tears: "​It's really affecting me because where's the president?", adding: "I mean, aren't we Americans, too? We're part of the United States. Why are we getting put in the back pocket?"

She proceeded to say: "Why are we being ignored?"

The wildfires, which began on August 8, were exacerbated by dry, hot conditions and intensified by the powerful winds generated by Hurricane Dora. The fires ravaged multiple settlements, including the well-known tourist hub of Lahaina, prompting road closures and suspension of public transportation.

Read more: Hawaii officials underestimated the fire, did not warn residents

  • United States
  • Maui
  • Lahaina
  • Wildfire
  • wildfire in Maui
  • Hawaii
  • Joe Biden

Most Read

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

  • Analysis
  • 19 Nov 2025
US readies covert, military measures to oust Maduro: NYT

US signs off on covert CIA operations inside Venezuela: NYT

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Vassily Nebenzia, permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations, speaks during a meeting of the UN Security Council, March 29, 2022, at United Nations headquarters (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Politics

Russia alarmed by reports of Israeli funding for anti-Hamas groups

A Lebanese citizen shouts slogans as he carries a portrait of Hezbollah's Chief of Staff Haitham Tabtabai during his funeral procession in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

IRGC: Hezbollah, AoR hold right to avenge martyr Al-Tabatabai

A Palestinian carries the body of a man killed while trying to receive aid near a distribution center operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Netzarim, in the Gaza Strip, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP)
Politics

GHF meets 'deserved' end in Gaza after enabling genocide: Hamas

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran in the background (X/@AmbMudassir)
Politics

Larijani’s Pakistan visit signals strategic regional alignment: Excl.

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS