President Biden plans visit to Hawaii amid wildfire recovery

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Aug 2023 23:50

US President Joe Biden plans to visit Hawaii soon, assuring that his visit will not disrupt ongoing wildfire recovery efforts.

People walk along Main Street past wildfire damage, in Lahaina, Hawaii on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 (AP)

In a speech delivered in Milwaukee on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced his intention to visit Hawaii soon while ensuring that his presence would not hinder the ongoing recovery efforts from the devastating wildfires.

"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," Biden said

Biden also highlighted his conversation with Hawaiian Governor Josh Green regarding federal support amid the deadly wildfires.

Following a call with Deanne Criswell, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who provided updates on the wildfires, Biden assured Governor Green of the continuous availability of federal assistance.

The fires have tragically claimed at least 99 lives and prompted Biden to declare a major disaster in Hawaii last week. This declaration has opened the door to increased federal resources to aid the state's response to the wildfires.

The deadliest US wildfire in more than a century has claimed tens of lives in Hawaii. Officials have confirmed 93 fatalities, but they have issued a warning that the number may increase as recovery teams working with cadaver dogs continue their chore of searching burned-out homes and vehicles in Lahaina.