Biden to visit site of wildfires today
Death toll in Lahaina blaze still at 114; police ID 5 more victims
Trending
President Joe Biden said on the eve of his visit to Maui today that he and first lady Jill Biden are eager to meet with first responders, spend time with families and community members and see what will be required for recovery, as the death toll in the Lahaina fire remained at 114 and five more victims were identified Sunday.
"My heart, my prayers, and my focus are on the victims of the Maui wildfires and their families," President Biden said in a news release Sunday. "I know how profoundly loss can impact a family and a community and I know nothing can replace the loss of life. I will do everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy. And throughout our efforts, we are focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures, and traditions."
In the days after the destructive fires in West and Upcountry Maui, the president approved Gov. Josh Green's request for a major disaster declaration and authorized three Fire Management Assistance grants.
More than 1,000 federal personnel are on the ground in Maui, including nearly 450 search and rescue team members. The federal government also approved $8.2 million in assistance to more than 2,700 households, including $3.4 million in initial rental assistance.
"We will be here as long as it takes for Maui," he said.
President Biden is expected to arrive this morning on Maui and board a helicopter for an aerial tour of impacted areas before landing near Lahaina.
They will then visit Lahaina to see the damage firsthand and receive a briefing from state and local officials.
The president is also scheduled to deliver remarks paying respects to the lives lost and reflect on the tragic, lasting impacts of the wildfires on survivors and the community, a White House official said.
He is also expected to announce the appointment of FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton as the chief federal response coordinator to oversee a long-term coordinated federal recovery effort.
Following his remarks, the president and the first lady will meet with survivors, first responders, community members and other officials and volunteers who are supporting the recovery efforts.
Teams are continuing to search the wreckage in Lahaina, and on Sunday, the Maui Police Department released the names of five more individuals who have been identified and whose next of kin have been notified.
They are: Conchita Sagudang, 75; Danilo Sagudang, 55; Rodolfo Rocutan, 76; Jonathan Somaoang, 76; and Angelita Vasquez, 88, all of Lahaina.
The total number of fatalities continues to stand at 114.
Eleven individuals have been identified and their families notified.
There are 16 other individuals identified, but their families have yet to be located and/or notified.
Crews are also still working to put out the lingering Upcountry and West Maui fires.
As of Saturday night, the Olinda fire, which burned an estimated 1,081 acres, was 85 percent contained.
The Kula fire, which burned an estimated 202 acres, was 80 percent contained.
The Lahaina fire, which burned an estimated 2,170 acres, was 89 percent contained.
The number of people in shelters has declined as displaced residents are moved hotel rooms and other temporary housing. As of Sunday morning, there were approximately 16 people staying in three shelters -- War Memorial Gymnasium, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kahului and the South Maui Community Park Gymnasium in Kihei.
An additional shelter is located at King's Cathedral Church in Kahului. The shelter at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center closed Sunday as no individuals were actively utilizing it, according to the American Red Cross.
Power continues to be an issue in some areas. In an update Sunday, Hawaiian Electric said that the transmission line connecting Kaheawa Wind Power I to Lahaina has been restored as the utility continues its efforts to safely rebuild sections of the grid on Maui.
More than 80 percent of the customers who lost electricity due to the fires have their power back on, HECO said. More than 90 percent of all customers on Maui have electricity. Approximately 1,800 customers in Olowalu, Lahaina and some surrounding areas remain without power.
Updates are also available at hawaiianelectric.com/windstormresponse.
* Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.