On the six-month anniversary of the Maui wildfire, which claimed 100 lives and destroyed 2,200 structures, 5,000 survivors remain in hotel shelters as they contend with high rates of depression and lung damage. The historic town of Lahaina, along with Upcountry Maui, was severely impacted, and the community's recovery is ongoing. Senator Mazie Hirono has pledged continued support for rebuilding efforts, while Senator Roger Wicker is advocating for faster delivery of disaster funds. The Kula fire, occurring 20 miles east prior to Lahaina's, has been largely overshadowed despite its residents' struggles.
Today is the six-month anniversary of the Maui fire that killed 100 people & destroyed 2200 structures, razing the historic town Lahaina. 5000 survivors are still in emergency hotel shelters, as tourists occupy short term rentals. Rates of depression & lung damage are high.
It's been 6 months since the deadly wildfires tore through Lahaina & Upcountry Maui, killing 100 people and displacing thousands more. Rebuilding Lahaina will take time and a continuity of effort, and I will continue doing everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild. https://t.co/uXcTey5dgT
By me: six months after Maui wildfire, 5,000 survivors still living in hotels: ‘We’re tired of broken promises’ https://t.co/757h40IdGw
It should not take years for disaster funds to trickle in. I will keep working to reform the fisheries disaster declaration process so funds can be delivered to communities in a shorter timeframe. https://t.co/AInLcwgTRm
Before Lahaina, the Kula fire burst out 20 miles to the east. The horrible death toll of Lahaina has overshadowed Kula, but its residents have fought back against the challenges prompted by the age of successive, cascading natural disasters. @reisthebault https://t.co/Jdrkqbs1KG