Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
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President Joe Biden has been slammed for his response to the Hawaii wildfires as he appeared to make some dismissive remarks and has made no plans to visit the beleaguered state.
Over the weekend, the president was repeatedly asked by reporters about the devastating fires which tore through Maui, razing the historic town of Lahaina and leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.
After spending a couple of hours relaxing on the beach in Delaware on Sunday, Mr Biden was asked about the rising death toll in Hawaii, to which he simply replied “no comment” sparking fury from his political rivals.
While he comes under fire, Hawaii Governor Josh Green and other state lawmakers have praised the president for the speed with which he deployed FEMA resources to the state.
On Tuesday – now one week after the fires first began ravaging the island – officials announced a new grim death toll of 99 victims.
The governor warned that the number of fatalities may continue to increase by 10 to 20 people per day as officials continue to search for survivors and victims.
Maui resident says ‘Lahaina is not for sale’ to land investors
Family of four identified as some of first victims of Maui wildfires
A family of four who died in the Maui wildfires after getting trapped in their car while trying to flee from Lahaina have now been identified.
The bodies of Salote Takafua, her son Tony Takafua and parents Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone were found inside a burned-out car near their home on Thursday, according to Hawaii News Now.
In a statement, the family said: “The magnitude of our grief is indescribable, and their memories will forever remain etched in our hearts.”
Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, who died along with heir adult daughter Salote Takafua and grandson Tony Takafua while trying to escape Lahaina
Family friend Lylas Kanemoto told The Associated Press that the loss of four members of the family was “unbearable”.
“At least we have closure for them, but the loss and heartbreak is unbearable for many. We as a community has to just embrace each other and support our families, friends, and our community to the best of our abilities,” she said.
Salote Takafua, right, died along with her son Tony Takafua and parents after trying to flee the Maui wildfires in their car
Republicans slam Biden’s blasé response to questions about Maui wildfires
President Joe Biden has come under fire for his blasé response to questions about the Maui wildfires after he spent the weekend riding his bike and sunbathing on a beach.
Over the weekend, the president was repeatedly asked by reporters about the devastating fires which have so far claimed 96 lives and burned the historic town of Lahaina, Maui island, to the ground.
While on a bike ride through Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, Mr Biden was asked by reporters if he was going to visit Maui.
“We’re looking at it,” he responded.
Sometime later – after spending a couple of hours relaxing on the beach – Bloomberg correspondent Justin Sink reported that Mr Biden was asked about the rising death toll in Hawaii, to which he simply replied: “No comment.”
Watch: Dwayne Johnson speaks on devastating Hawaii wildfires
ICYMI: Law firms file lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric
Three law firms have filed a class-action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric – the company that supplies the islands with 95 per cent of its electricity, claiming the company “inexcusable kept their power lines energised during forecasted high fire danger conditions.”
The lawsuit, obtained by Spectrum News, alleges that several branches of the energy company in Hawaii and Maui did not take proper action when the NWS issued the fire danger warning. De-energising power lines is common practice in the Western United States when high wildfire warnings are issued.
“There was absolutely knowledge within the state and within the electric industry that fire was a huge, huge concern on the island of Maui, and even more so than any of the other islands,” the complaint says.
In a statement provided to The Independent, Hawaiian Electric said, “As has always been our policy, we don’t comment on pending litigation. Our immediate focus is on supporting emergency response efforts on Maui and restoring power for our customers and communities as quickly as possible. At this early stage, the cause of the fire has not been determined and we will work with the state and county as they conduct their review.”
White House defends Hawaii wildfire response saying President Biden is ‘deeply concerned’
The White House defended President Joe Biden’s federal response to the devastating wildfires in Hawaii on Monday saying the president is “deeply concerned” and sending federal aid.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spent the first half of Monday’s press briefing focusing on Mr Biden’s federal action to assist officials and residents in Maui.
“You’ve heard from [Mr Biden] already on Thursday, certainly you’ll hear from him continuously this week,” Ms Jean-Pierre said. “Look, this is something that the President is clearly deeply concerned about.”
Ariana Baio reports:
More than 500 hotel rooms available to displaced residents
Hawaii governor Josh Green said that more than 500 hotel rooms were arranged for people who lose their homes in the wildfires.
This is temporary housing that will allow people shelter while they figure out a more permanent living situation.
Lauren Boebert slammed for attacking Biden over Maui wildfires
Lauren Boebert has been slammed after she criticised President Joe Biden for his handling of the Maui wildfires.
“There is a total crisis in Maui,” she wrote on social media on Sunday afternoon. “3000 destroyed homes. 80 people dead. Where’s Joe Biden? On vacation of course. There is no bottom for this president.”
Mr Biden was at his Delaware beach house for the weekend after having approved a major disaster declaration on Thursday. He said, “Every asset that we have will be available to” those affected in Hawaii.
Mr Biden added that the declaration will help to “get aid into the hands of people who desperately need help”.
Gustaf Kilander reports:
Maui residents had just minutes to flee from wildfires. Now they’re desperately searching for pets left behind
When wildfires swept through Lahaina without warning last Tuesday, residents were forced to grab what they could and flee.
At least 99 residents have been killed, more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed, and an estimated 1,000 people remain unaccounted for.
Hundreds of families who escaped the inferno have begun the desperate task of searching for pets that were left behind in the chaos.
Facebook groups have been inundated with photos of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and exotic birds, and many remain missing nearly one week on from the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.
“I am absolutely heartbroken,” one pet owner wrote on the Lost & Found Animals of Maui Fires group along with photos of her cats Lily Jupiter, Puma and Tiger.
Bevan Hurley reports:
Death toll reaches 99
The death toll from the Hawaii wildfires has risen to 99, up three from this morning.
The latest update on Monday afternoon comes hours after Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned that the toll was likely to rise “significantly”, with some 1,000 people still missing.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2NsaW1hdGUtY2hhbmdlL25ld3Mvd2lsZGZpcmVzLW1hdWktaGF3YWlpLWNhdXNlLXVwZGF0ZS1sYXRlc3QtYjIzOTMwODcuaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5
2023-08-15 09:00:00Z
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