Angry residents yell insults at Biden as he tours wildfire-ravaged Hawaii

US President Joe Biden wasin Maui Monday toengage with local authorities, assess the on-ground situation and console victims of the devastating wildfires that have claimed the lives of more than a hundred residents.

However, people weren't happy with his late response to the terrible tragedy that unfolded in Hawaii. Several residents, mostly those from the western part of Maui, shouted insults at him and held signs reading “no comment” as he left Kapalua Airport in his motorcade.

Biden's arrival, on Monday, comes nearly two weeks after devastating wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island, claiming the lives of over 114 individuals.

Residents were visibly angry with Biden

Those gathered yelled“Go home Joe!” as Biden prepared to speak on the wildfires. Notably, Biden has been accused by the residents of Hawaii of late response and being indifferent to their troubles following the devastation. Locals say that efforts being made to help them aren't enough.

Other signboards read, “NO COMMENT,” “REALLY $7, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”, and “FJB".

There were a few boards thatendorsedformer President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.

Others alleged that the airport where Biden landed wasn't used to bring in relief supplies for the affected residents.

“Where has the president been?“ Dennis Mullen, 58, a resident of Kahana said while speaking to The New York Post.

“Any number of military aircraft, planes and helicopters could have flown in here. To leave a town that was just devastated shut down was just ridiculous. The runway wasn’t cratered,” Mullen said.

Helicopter tour of the devastation

Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, embarked on a helicopter tour of the areas ravaged by the fires upon arriving in Maui.

As per Reuters, they will be visiting the devastated city of Lahaina to assess the extent of the wildfire damage, engage with survivors, receive briefings from state and local officials, and deliver remarks.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Green, Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, as well as Representative Jill Tokuda, will accompany the Bidens on the aerial tour of the affected areas.

En route to Maui, White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton emphasised that "It's going to be an emotional day for everyone."

Too little, too late?

Despite the fact that the President's visit comes two weeks into the devastating wildfires, Dalton said that Biden will make clear that he was concerned about the victims since day one and "intends for his administration to be there for as long as it takes."

Biden, who is seeking a second term and is in the race for the 2024 US Presidential elections, has been facing criticism from some quarters, particularly Republicans, regarding his initial response or the lack thereof to the Maui wildfires.

On August 10, he declared that he would extend federal aid to Hawaii and offer assistance to those in need. However, he then went several days without addressing the tragedy as he vacationed at his Delaware beach house.

Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), assured reporters that in spite of that, Biden had been kept updated on the situation and that he was "satisfied" with the administration's response.

The wildfires

Propelled by strong winds, the destructive firestorm raged through Lahaina in west Maui on August 8. A total of 114 deaths have been reported andthe death toll is still rising.

Official estimates as posted by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen on Facebook show that around 850 people remain missing. This is down from earlier estimates ofover 2,000.

(With inputs from agencies)

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