RENO: President Joe Biden has arrived in Hawaii to view the massive destruction caused by recent wildfires on the island of Maui and express sympathy with deadly fire victims, AFP reported on Monday.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were received by Hawaii’s governor Josh Green in Maui. US president has reached Hawaii two weeks after a fierce wildfire razed the historic town of Lahaina, claiming at least 114 lives.
Biden is expected to announce further relief packages for fire victims after taking a helicopter tour of the affected areas.
Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator, has said President Biden during the visit will have firsthand insights of the devastation by the massive fire.
Biden leaves for fire-hit Hawaii
Biden, before departing from Nevada, in a statement, said nothing can replace the loss of life, but he would do everything to recover Maui from this tragedy.
Maui residents, however, complain that the process of recovering lost ones and identifying bodies is quite slow.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has said that the death count is poised to escalate as search operations for missing persons remain in progress.
Just before the visit of President Biden, Governor Green expressed his determination to advocate for a speedy recovery process.
People in Hawaii have expressed reservations and are not satisfied with the steps taken by the government to help the fire victims.
The wildfire almost destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on Maui Island, a major tourist attraction in Hawaii. The town of Lahaina had a population of 12,000.
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Earlier, officials in the Hawaiian fire-hit county said it could take years to repair the damage caused by a huge wildfire.
President Biden has already approved a major federal disaster declaration to make financial assistance available for people, local authorities, and local businessmen affected by the wildfires.
Hawaii is also getting support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard.
People across the world have shown sympathy with the people and government of Hawaii in the wake of the deadly wildfires.
