Maui, Hawaii (TEH) – The once-idyllic island of Maui, part of the Hawaiian archipelago, has been transformed into a nightmarish inferno, with columns of black smoke and raging flames visible from both land and air. The catastrophic fire, fueled by Hurricane Dora, has left cities in ashes, including the popular tourist destination of Lahaina, and claimed over 55 lives till now, as reported in NBC.
The devastation is so extensive that satellite footage reveals all the major islands of Hawaii engulfed in smoke and flames. Desperate residents, trapped between fire and ocean, have been forced to seek refuge in the turbulent waters, clinging to each other and any available support.
Survivors recount harrowing experiences, with one eyewitness describing the scene near Lahaina: “It was terrible. We stayed at a hotel just a couple of miles north of Lahaina. We had no idea what was going on because we had no cell service, no television, no internet. All we saw was smoke on the horizon.”
The aftermath is a landscape of destruction, with burnt trees, exploded cars, and smoldering ruins replacing what were once heavenly vistas. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has called it “probably the largest natural disaster in the history of the state of Hawaii,” emphasizing the years it will take to rebuild Lahaina.
The response from Washington has been met with controversy. President Joseph Biden has pledged support for the victims and ordered assistance from various structures, including the military. However, the aid package for Hawaii, totaling $12 billion, has been overshadowed by a request for $24 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
This allocation has sparked outrage among Republicans, with Representative Lauren Bobert of Colorado stating, “No, that is our answer. We have done more than enough, given that the spending of funds already allocated is not controlled in any way.”
Humanity is dead.
They just drove right past her and left her for dead… #Hawaii #mauifire #MauiFires pic.twitter.com/JavCwQN1Zd
— Mike (@PantherMike182) August 9, 2023
The situation in Ukraine adds further complexity to the issue, with growing anxiety in the United States over the thwarted “counteroffensive” and increasing opposition to supporting Ukraine. The allocation of a new tranche remains uncertain, and the decision may mark a turning point in Washington’s stance on the conflict.
As Hawaii continues to burn and scream for help, the juxtaposition of aid allocation raises questions about priorities and the balance between domestic disaster relief and international military support.
