[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 126 (Thursday, August 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                First Year Anniversary of Maui Wildfires

  Mr. President, next week marks 1 year since fires tore through 
Lahaina and Upcountry on the island of Maui. As we mark 1 year, we can 
never forget the tragedy that unfolded on that day.
  August 8 is a day the people of Maui and Hawaii will never forget. In 
a matter of hours, an entire town--once the seat of the Kingdom of 
Hawaii--burned to the ground.
  The loss of the town loved by so many was devastating, but even more 
tragic was the human toll. The fires claimed 102 lives--kupuna who had 
lived in Lahaina for decades, keiki born and raised in Lahaina, and 
many more beloved members of this community. Today and every day, we 
mourn their losses as we keep their ohanas and all who loved them in 
our thoughts.

  The past year has been harrowing for those families and for all those 
impacted by this tragedy, many of whom lost their hopes and nearly all 
their possessions in an instant, and, in some cases, saw their places 
of work burn to the ground--losing their jobs on top of everything 
else. In the years since, they have had to navigate the challenges of 
rebuilding their lives--finding housing, getting their keiki back to 
school, and trying to regain a sense of normalcy amidst confusion and 
trauma.
  The continuing trauma these survivors face is real. They have 
experienced financial, mental, and physical hardship. Many have had to 
move multiple times and now face under- or unemployment. The 
uncertainty and instability have left many feeling like they are 
fighting just to survive.
  But, in these dark times, what has also come to the fore is the unity 
of this community, a unity that has provided a glimmer of light 
illuminating the path forward--neighbors coming together to provide 
essential resources in the early days after the fire, strangers who 
have opened their doors to survivors in need of a place to live, and 
relief workers who have come from across the country to lend their 
expertise to Maui's recovery.
  The Federal family of Agencies that has been on Maui since just hours 
after the fires occurred has been and continues to be a key part of 
Maui's recovery. From FEMA's work in helping with cleanup and housing 
to the Army Corps' rebuilding of King Kamehameha III Elementary School 
in a matter of weeks, and so much more by so many, the Federal 
Government and the Biden-Harris administration have been there for the 
people of Maui.
  Of course, we can never forget the President--President Biden--coming 
to Maui and saying that this recovery was not going to be top-down, 
that we would listen to the people of Lahaina and Maui.
  Over the past year, the Federal Government has delivered more than $1 
billion for Maui's recovery, including more than nearly $450 million in 
direct payments to survivors. This support has been critical in 
providing some sense of stability to our communities.
  But the reality is Lahaina's recovery will take time, resources, and 
continuity of effort. As is often the case with disasters of this 
magnitude, much more Federal support will be needed in the months and 
years ahead to ensure Maui's long-term recovery.
  For example, there is work to be done to get people into long-term, 
sustainable housing--suitable housing--especially given the affordable 
housing crisis that existed on Maui before this tragedy.
  We need CDBG-DR funding to help rebuild Lahaina's critical 
infrastructure for things like water and electricity, to lay the 
groundwork for Lahaina's eventual rebuilding.
  And we need to resupply the Disaster Relief Fund to make sure other 
communities facing disasters can get the rapid support they need--
support that has been essential to Maui's recovery.
  This means that, before this year comes to an end, we must commit to 
a supplemental funding bill that will provide the resources that Maui 
needs and that other communities throughout our country impacted by 
disasters will need. So I come to the floor to remind my Senate 
colleagues of the importance of getting this funding done.
  To the people of Maui, we are Maui strong. Guided by the voices and 
values of the people of Lahaina, we will rebuild by coming together in 
solidarity.
  Mahalo nui loa.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming.