118th CONGRESS 1st Session |
Recognizing and honoring the first responders and those who lost their lives in the Maui wildfires in August 2023 that affected thousands of people.
September 29, 2023
Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Recognizing and honoring the first responders and those who lost their lives in the Maui wildfires in August 2023 that affected thousands of people.
Whereas, on August 8, 2023, a series of wildfires, fueled by abnormally strong winds due to Hurricane Dora and a high-pressure system in the North Pacific Ocean, broke out on the island of Maui, specifically the Lahaina area in West Maui and the Olinda, Kula, and Pulehu-Kīhei areas of Upcountry Maui;
Whereas almost 7,000 acres of land have burned as a result of the wildfires on Maui;
Whereas the wildfire that occurred in West Maui in the historic town of Lahaina is now the deadliest wildfire to occur in the United States in more than a century and one of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii’s history;
Whereas, as of September 15, 2023, 97 fatalities from the wildfires have been confirmed and as of September 22, 2023, 22 people remain officially unaccounted for;
Whereas more than 7,000 people have been displaced;
Whereas approximately 2,200 structures have been damaged or destroyed;
Whereas more than 1,900 homes burned down;
Whereas brave people raced into the wildfires to save their community while their own homes burned to the ground;
Whereas nearly 1,000 businesses were destroyed;
Whereas four schools were impacted by the wildfires, one of which, King Kamehameha III Elementary School, was damaged beyond repair, displacing hundreds of staff members and thousands of students;
Whereas it is estimated that billions of dollars will be necessary to repair the damaged areas in West Maui;
Whereas Lahaina was the one-time capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and still has great cultural and historical significance, particularly to the Native Hawaiian community;
Whereas additional local, State, and Federal emergency personnel, such as law enforcement and medical personnel, coordinated with local authorities and have performed beyond the call of duty in the preservation and protection of human lives;
Whereas hundreds of volunteers gave their time to help ensure that evacuees are sheltered, clothed, fed, and emotionally comforted through this traumatic event; and
Whereas people across the United States and around the world have responded with an outpouring of support for the people of Maui: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
(1) honors those who lost their lives in the deadly wildfires on Maui;
(2) recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the first responders who risked their lives to respond to the wildfires;
(3) honors the bravery and heroism of the people who have assisted with and continue to respond to the wildfires;
(4) expresses full support for the communities of West and Upcountry Maui, as those communities focus on recovery and rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires;
(5) urges the people and communities of Hawaii and the United States to act diligently in preventing and preparing for wildfires; and
(6) encourages the people of the United States to keep in their thoughts the individuals who have suffered as a result of the wildfires.