Biden promises to rebuild Maui after deadly fires | outside

The presidential couple arrived late Monday morning (local time) on the island of Maui, where a wildfire killed at least 114 people earlier this month and left 850 others missing. In a speech, Biden said he understands the pain the people of Maui are experiencing because he lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident. “It’s that feeling of emptiness in your chest, like you’re being pulled into a black hole,” he said.

All in all, Biden delivered a speech that lasted about ten minutes. “The damage is massive,” he added. “We are now focusing on what’s next. We will rebuild together.” Meanwhile, 87 percent of the burned area has been searched, the authorities said. Forty rescue dogs have been deployed.

Biden also took a 20-minute helicopter ride over the island with Gill and Hawaii Governor Josh Green. Green and Biden were seen walking side by side toward the president’s helicopter. They flew, among other things, over the destroyed city of Lahaina, which Biden later also drove.

Biden traveled to Hawaii from Lake Tahoe, where he was vacationing for a week. The planned visit lasts about six hours. Earlier, there was criticism of the US president for not doing much for Hawaii after the wildfires. And although he declared federal support for Maui the day after the disaster, he also remained at his holiday address.

“No comment,” Biden told a reporter who asked him about the matter a few days after the disaster.