KAHULUI, Hawaii: President Joe Biden on Monday told survivors of a horrific blaze in Hawaii the government would not abandon them as he toured the scene of the worst wildfire the United States has seen in over a century.The 80-year-old donned the mantle of comforter-in-chief as he saw for himself the devastation wreaked on Lahaina by a fire that killed at least 114 people as it levelled the historic town.'I know the feeling that many people in this town, this community (have); that hollow feeling you have in your chest like you're being sucked into a black hole,' he said as he stood by the blackened skeleton of a historic banyan tree.'We're with you for as long as it takes, I promise you, by making sure your voices are heard. 'We're gonna rebuild the way that the people of Maui want to build. The fire cannot reach the roots. That's Maui. That's America.'Biden is fighting criticism his government was too slow to respond to the disaster that devastated a town of more than 12,000 people, with locals angry at what some see as a plodding official response.Former president Donald Trump said it was 'disgraceful' that his successor had not visited Hawaii sooner, though the White House has said Biden delayed his trip so as not to distract officials and rescuers working on the ground.Residents have also lashed out at Maui officials who they say should have sounded an alarm system as the fire erupted.As a result, 'a warm welcome may not be assured for Biden in some circles on Maui,' the Honolulu Star-Advertiser newspaper said ahead of the visit.Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walked through the ravaged remains of Lahaina with Hawaii's Governor Josh Green and his wife, nearly two weeks after ferocious, wind-whipped blazes sent residents jumping into the ocean to escape the flames.The couple also took to the air in Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to see the crushing extent of the devastation that left the former royal capital in ashes.Many houses were completely destroy
ed by the wall of fire that tore through the town; the shells of other buildings still stand, shorn of the vibrancy that made Lahaina a major tourist draw.The burned-out hulks of cars litter roads where they were abandoned by drivers who realized — some too late — that the way out was snarled with traffic.US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden participate in a blessing ceremony with the Lahaina elders at Moku'ula following wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21, 2023.
'We will get it done the way you want it done. Not get it done somebody else's way.'Agonizingly slow FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, defending the government's response, said Biden's one-day visit underscored his commitment to ensuring Hawaii's recovery, with more than 1,000 federal responders now in Hawaii.
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In Maui, Biden vows to respect Hawaii traditions in wildfire rebuildingUS President Joe Biden on Monday vowed to stand by the people of Maui for "as long as it takes" as they rebuild after wildfires that killed more than 114 people on the Hawaiian island nearly two weeks ago.
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In Maui, Biden sees 'long road' ahead in recovering from deadly wildfiresPresident Biden emphasizes repeatedly that the rebuilding would follow the wishes of the people of Lahaina and lauds the strong sense of community he had seen during his visit
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Biden heading to Hawaii to view damage, meet survivorsWASHINGTON, DC—President Joe Biden was heading to Hawaii on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to view the widespread damage from the
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Biden heads to Hawaii to view damage, meet survivorsWASHINGTON, United States - President Joe Biden heads to Hawaii on Monday to view the widespread damage from recent Maui wildfires, meet with survivors and fend off criticism that his government was too slow to respond to the disaster.
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Maui fire lays bare utility missteps mirrored across the United StatesWhen flames ripped through the drought-parched town of Paradise in 2018, destroying homes and killing 85 in California’s deadliest-ever wildfire, it was a wake-up call to power companies across the country. Electric lines would ultimately be blamed for the blaze, and the state’s largest utility was driven into bankruptcy. It’s…
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Elderly Pinoy from Ilocos among fatalities in Maui wildfiresAnother Filipino has been added to the count of identified casualties in the devastating wildfires in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
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