Hawaiian man criticizes federal government for inaction after a fire: we were not treated as American citizens towards Chicino | United States | Government
American Maui resident Chicino and his wife were interviewed together.
On August 29th, a major fire broke out on Maui Island, Hawaii, USA in early August, resulting in 115 deaths and hundreds of people missing as of the 24th. According to the New York Post on August 28th, a survivor from Maui Island recently fiercely criticized the federal government's response to the disaster, stating that locals were "not treated as American citizens.".
Maui resident Chicino said that the devastating fire in early August destroyed his home and business, and now his family is homeless and unemployed. "Hawaii is one of the 50 states in the United States, but we have not received the same treatment as American citizens. We have just ended a war on life, and so far, we have not received any help from the federal government."
After the fire broke out, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a one-time distribution of $700 to each household as part of the initial disaster relief efforts. But Chicino stated that they did not receive the money, "We have never received that $700, and this money won't last long. We mainly get help from private and non-profit organizations. I cannot represent everyone, but we feel like we have not received any help from the federal government."
American media reported that the federal government has been strongly criticized by Hawaiians in recent weeks, and locals believe that the government's response in providing aid has been very slow. On the 18th, the website of USA Today reported that residents of Maui Island generally lack trust in the government after the fire, and many are frustrated by the lack of response and transparency from state and federal governments. In severely affected areas such as Lahaina town, most aid work is managed by communities because people feel that the government's actions are not fast enough.