US President Joe Biden Breaks Silence on Hawaii Wildfires, Mention’s Maui as ‘Big Island’

US President Joe Biden issued a rare rebuke on Tuesday after criticism that he had not spoken out against the devastating Hawaii wildfires despite his long silence, speaking out after largely avoiding criticism during his lengthy silence. The deadly fires in Maui killed more than 80 people on an island that was notably absent from his earlier speech. “I apologize because I try very hard to keep my speeches between 15 and 18 minutes, but I got to talk a little bit about Hawaii,” Biden said in remarks reported by The New York Post (NYP).

Biden described the government measures taken by the US to control the wildfire crisis. He mentioned providing federal aid, mentioning a $700 one-time grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also pointed out the involvement of Coast Guard, Navy, and Army helicopters in rescue operations and fire suppression.

When Biden referred to “Big Island” as opposed to Maui during his address, having him later clarify that the affected area was not where one normally sees television coverage, there was confusion, which lasted until his subsequent clarifications regarding it.

Biden assured that he and his wife, Jill Biden, plan to visit Hawaii but have not yet set a date. Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Josh Green reported that the toll from the Maui wildfires had risen to 89, with more deaths expected as charred hillsides were still smouldering, marking the deadliest wildfire incident in the US in over a century. 

He noted that the toll could further rise, highlighting significant damage to residential buildings. 6NYP also reports that despite state efforts to recover from raging wildfires as residents and visitors continue to be evacuated from West Maui Kahului Airport since the beginning of these wildfires earlier this month, Hawaii continues to struggle to recover due to the effects of battling fires.