Lahaina, Hawaii—President Joe Biden told survivors of a horrific blaze in Hawaii the government would not abandon them as he
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 leveled the historic town.
Former president Donald Trump said it was “disgraceful” that his successor had not been in Hawaii more quickly, though the White House has said Biden delayed his trip so as not to distract officials and rescuers working on the ground. After a helicopter tour of the damage, Biden is due to announce further relief funding and the appointment of a federal response coordinator.
She said more than 1,000 federal responders were now in Hawaii — and added that none of them would have to be moved to the US Southwest, which is contending with the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary. While search teams have covered 85 percent of the search zone, the remaining 15 percent could take weeks, Governor Josh Green said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” The fire’s extreme heat meant it might be impossible to recover some remains.
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Biden tells Hawaii fire survivors: 'We're with you'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
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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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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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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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Filipino mother, son among those killed in Hawaii wildfires —kinTwo more Filipinos have been added to the count of recovered bodies in the ongoing search and recovery operation following the wildfires that ravaged Lahaina in Hawaii.
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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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