Amata and Congressional Delegation View Lahaina Wildfire Devastation and Meet with Hawaii Officials
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, as part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL), surveyed the wildfire devastation in Maui with her colleagues and met with Hawaii officials. The Members of Congress viewed and assessed the fire’s devastating impacts, received briefings from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), met with Governor Josh Green, and discussed the immediate needs of the people of Maui with Members of Congress from Hawaii.
Congresswoman Amata with Ana F Malady-Elissa, MPA, Victim Witness Prosecutor, prior Maui resident back from Las Vegas to help local officials
“Although I had seen photos and news articles, nothing could have truly prepared me to see this heartbreaking destruction,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The historic Lahaina community was fully devastated by the wildfire. Hundreds of families are grieving, many still awaiting word of missing loved ones. May God sustain and comfort them, and thank you to the charitable organizations, government personnel, and volunteers who are helping to assist the displaced. Thousands who lived and worked in Lahaina were suddenly without shelter, food, income, and other needs. In American Samoa, our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Maui.”
Chairman Bruce Westerman said, “Seeing in person drives home the raw devastation we witnessed today in Lahaina that’s hard to overstate. The intense fire stole lives and left a path of destruction that has forever altered the lives of the people and community of Lahaina. I am grateful to the men and women who are on the front lines of this tragedy who are searching for the missing, comforting those who have lost loved ones, providing aid to families and affected residents, and working to recover and rebuild their community. My colleagues and I stand with the people of Lahaina and our continued prayers are with all of Maui.”
Earlier this month, Maui was devastated by the deadliest wildfire in over a century. Over 115 lives have been confirmed lost, and authorities have not yet accounted for hundreds of people. The fires destroyed over 2,200 structures, including homes, businesses, and historic and cultural sites, with damage estimates of $5.5 billion. Thousands of federal, state, and local officials have worked tirelessly to locate those who are missing and provide support for those who lost everything. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Westerman, the delegation traveled throughout the Indo-Pacific to learn about the issues facing different island nations and U.S. territories. Due to the significant federal efforts underway in Maui, Chairman Westerman and the CODEL made Lahaina a priority.
Participating Members:
Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)
Indo-Pacific Task Force Chairman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa)
Indo-Pacific Task Force Co-Chairman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI)
Subcommittee of Indian and Insular Affairs Chairwoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.)
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.)
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.)
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.)
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.)
U.S. Rep. Jim Moylan (R-Guam)
See more pictures here.
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