by Achoti Tamar
According to reports out of Maui, the number of confirmed deaths caused by the Maui wildfires, as of Monday night, was 99 and is expected to continue to rise, as search crews comb neighborhoods where flames moved as fast as a mile a minute. Members of the Maui communities are battling over water rights, hindering firefighters' efforts to calm the raging fires. As of Monday, the blaze that swept across historical Lahaina last week destroyed nearly every building in the town of 13,000. The fire has been 85% contained, according to the county. However, another fire known as the Upcountry fire has been 60% contained, officials said.
As Americans, including Oprah Winifrey, were left devasted at the destruction caused by the fires, President Biden was seen sunbathing on a beach near his Delaware vacation home. The President response to the rising death toll was “No comment.” Biden was also seen by reporters on a bike ride Sunday morning and gave a similar nonchalant answer when asked about the tragedy. “We’re looking at it,” he said when asked if he planned to visit the Aloha State.
Biden is scheduled to meet with foreign dignitaries including Japan this week. His schedule has not been altered and a trip to the Island is not on the agenda. Meanwhile Biden's Democratic comrade Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii said the search will take time, “For those people who have walked into Lahaina because they really wanted to see, know that they're very likely walking on iwi,” he said at a news conference on Maui, using the Hawaiian word for “bones.”
Here's what Biden should have said, 500 hotel rooms were being made available for displaced locals and an additional 500 rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency who are aiding in the recovery. In addition, FEMA has started to provide $700 to displaced residents to cover the cost of food, water, first aid and medical supplies, agency administrator Deanne Criswell said Monday. The money is in addition to whatever amount residents qualify for to cover the loss of homes and personal property. More than 3,000 people have registered for federal assistance, according to FEMA. The Biden administration is seeking $12 billion more for the government’s disaster relief fund as part of its supplemental funding request to Congress.
Bidens team scrabbled to come up with a statement in an effort to fend of stalk criticism of Biden's "No Comment" remark. On Monday the Biden Administration issued the following statement, “As residents of Hawai’i mourn the loss of life and devastation taking place across their beautiful home, we mourn with them. Like I’ve said, not only our prayers are with those impacted – but every asset we have will be available to them.”
Biden's noncaring statement did not go over well with his Democratic colleague Kaniela Ing, Hawaii legislator. “I campaigned for you, now, when I lose dozens of my friends, family, and neighbors. This?” Ing said.
Biden's verbal response to the crisis did not sound Presidential and his recent vacation home visit certainly did not look Presidential during a time when Americans are suffering. Biden's recent behavior leaves many American wondering if President Biden deserves a second term.
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