BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION LEADERS TO JOIN HAWAII OFFICIALS AND
SURVIVORS ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING WILDFIRES ON MAUI
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240806/biden-harris-administration-leaders-join-hawaii-officials-and-survivors-one]


Release Date: 
August 6, 2024 

WASHINGTON -- One year after the devastating wildfires that impacted
the people of Maui, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood
Randall -- representing President Biden -- FEMA Administrator Deanne
Criswell and U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore Merrell will join
county and state officials in Maui to commemorate the anniversary in
support of the community. 

As President Biden made clear last year, the Biden-Harris
Administration will continue to do everything in its power to help
Maui recover and rebuild the way the people of Maui want, while
respecting sacred lands, cultures and traditions, for as long as it
takes.

“In the face of immense loss, the Maui community has shown
tremendous resolve and resilience that has inspired the nation. Maui
has taught us all what it means to come together to rebuild and heal
as a community,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “On this
road to recovery we've witnessed true compassion -- neighbors helping
neighbors and a groundswell of support from not only across the
island, but across the state and the nation. FEMA will continue to be
here for as long as it takes to recover, rebuild and create the more
resilient Maui that this community needs and deserves.”

“Often, as individuals and as communities, we learn and change after
tragedy,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. “As
firefighters and public servants, we vow 'Never Again' to help us
personally recover and to prepare for the next emergency. Over the
past year, the U.S. Fire Administration has been and remains closely
connected with the Maui County Fire Department to help firefighters
find personal resilience and prepare for the inevitable future events.
Together we have deployed innovative technology to detect fires early
while working to educate the community to become fire adapted so they
know how to reduce fire risks where they live.”  

“There is still much to do, learn and heal from. We will continue
working with our state, federal partners, community leaders and
faith-based organizations to navigate the needs ahead. The people of
Maui continue to lead Lahaina’s recovery effort and we will support
them for as long as it takes,” said Chief Federal Response
Coordinator and FEMA Regional Administrator Bob Fenton. “Over the
past year, FEMA has worked in partnership with the US Army Corps of
Engineers to forge a path toward sustainable recovery while keeping
Maui’s rich history and culture in mind. Thanks to the work of our
partners, USACE has cleared over 1,300 residential and 60 commercial
lots of debris and also constructed a temporary elementary school in
record-time.”

FEMA has obligated over $489 million in Public Assistance funding to
help rebuild Maui’s infrastructure, including investments in
drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in West Maui that have
helped accelerate the recovery process.   

FEMA continues to work alongside its local and state partners and
across the federal family to identify and establish long-term housing
solutions for the people of Maui. FEMA continues to keep all options
on the table and pursue innovative and creative solutions for meeting
the needs of survivors and the community. 

As FEMA works with the state and local community to build a more
resilient Maui, the agency recognizes it has more work to do and
remains more committed than ever to make sure the people of Lahaina
have a safe and secure place to live.