U.S. President Joe Biden is traveling to Maui today, Monday, in a test of one of his roles as the foremost and highest provider of condolences in the United States, nearly two weeks after wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island, resulting in over 100 fatalities. Biden will temporarily suspend his vacation in Lake Tahoe to fly from Reno, Nevada, to Maui, where he and First Lady Jill Biden will take a helicopter tour of the areas devastated by the fires.
After that, they will head to the stricken Lahaina community to assess the extent of the damage caused by the wildfires and listen to explanations from government and local officials. A White House official stated that Biden, after completing his tour, will make remarks "offering condolences for the lost lives and expressing his thoughts and feelings regarding the tragic and lasting consequences of these fires on survivors and the community."
Biden, who is seeking re-election for a second term in 2024, has faced criticism from some Republicans and others for his initial response to the Maui fires. Several days passed without Biden addressing this tragedy. The fires that struck Lahaina, West Maui, on August 8, have claimed at least 114 lives, with the number still rising. The White House responded that Biden is leading "the entire government's" efforts to assist Hawaii in recovering.
Biden himself stated that he did not want to travel to Maui until he was assured that his visit would not interfere with emergency response efforts. A White House official said that Biden will announce today the appointment of Bob Fenton, the regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the Senior Federal Coordinating Officer to oversee long-term recovery efforts. The official noted that Biden will also meet with emergency responders, survivors, and community members.
Biden stated in a message on Sunday, "I will do everything I can to help Maui recover and rebuild after this tragedy. We are focusing our efforts on respecting the cultures, traditions, and cherished land."
