President Joe Biden is facing backlash for comments made during a visit to Hawaii’s wildfire-hit areas.
Drawing parallels between the wildfire’s devastation and a kitchen fire, as well as making a casual remark about “hot ground,” Biden’s words were met with disapproval from Hawaiians and lawmakers.
Many have expressed dissatisfaction with the $700 allocated for each affected family, given the state’s elevated living expenses. There’s also bipartisan concern about the perceived tardiness of federal aid and the President’s own visit to Maui.
Showing compassion, Biden also recounted personal losses, like the 1972 car accident resulting in the deaths of his wife and daughter and his son’s health challenges, which some found inappropriate. Though he pledged federal assistance, some residents felt the response was insufficient, given the circumstances.
The wildfire, one of the deadliest in recent memory, has devastated Lahaina and crippled utility infrastructures. Amid the recovery, there are concerns about future aid rise due to the loss of crucial documents in the fire.
In response to criticisms, the White House pointed to over $8 million in disbursed aid and Biden’s nomination of a FEMA regional chief to manage the recovery process. However, full recovery remains a daunting prospect for the affected community.