President Joe Biden is facing criticism for his delayed visit to the site of a Hawaiian wildfire that claimed the lives of at least 114 people and left 850 missing.
During his visit, President Biden compared the blaze to a kitchen fire at his home and attempted a joke about “hot ground” with a rescue team, sparking outrage among residents and politicians.
Hawaiian residents and officials criticized Biden for his slow response to the disaster, and the $700 offered to each affected family, particularly given the high cost of living in the state. Both Democrats and Republicans questioned the delay in federal aid and Biden’s visit to the disaster site.
The President also spoke about the personal losses he had suffered in the past, including the deaths of his wife and daughter in a car accident in 1972 and his son’s battle with brain cancer.
Biden’s decision to tour the affected areas via helicopter and address local officials drew mixed reactions. He promised support to the devastated community and pledged federal help, but some residents found his response inadequate given the scale of the incident.
The wildfire, the deadliest in over a century, has destroyed much of Lahaina and caused extensive damage to utility infrastructures. Thousands of people remain without power and telecommunications connections.
As the recovery process continues, concerns persist about long term aid programs as essential documents were destroyed in the fire.
In response to the criticism, the White House said that more than $8 million in aid has been distributed to affected families, and Biden appointed a regional leader at the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee recovery efforts.
Despite immediate aid efforts, the road to recovery will be long and challenging for the affected community.
