Mayor Bissen testifies on federal government’s response to 2023 Maui wildfires

During the 2024 Oversight Committee Hearing in Lahaina on Wednesday morning, Mayor Richard Bissen voiced community observations on the federal government's response to the 2023 Maui wildfires. The feedback, and other testimony, will inform federal agency responses for future disasters.

Bissen amplified community concerns about the lack of housing in the wake of the disaster, affirmed federal agencies' cultural sensitivity efforts and emphasized the need for continued support. Scores of people, including Congressional leaders, witnesses, residents and media, attended the meeting, which started at 10 a.m. in the Lahaina Civic Center social hall.

"Most importantly, I want to recognize the incredible strength of our people, many who have endured inconceivable suffering, but continue to push forward with incredible grit, sacrifice, and immeasurable courage," Mayor Bissen testified. "And while we can rebuild structures, if we don't return Lahaina to the people who represent the spirit and soul of that community - if we don't recognize the faces of our friends and family as we repopulate Lahaina, we will have lost this battle for our people - and even one more family lost is one too many."

"The fight is far from over, and continued financial and programmatic support from our State and Federal partners is crucial to the preservation and livelihood of our people, and the success of this recovery," Mayor Bissen added.

The hearing, titled "Assessing the Federal Government's Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires," evaluated the federal government's ongoing response to last year's Maui wildfires. The session gave members of Congress the opportunity to question federal disaster response agencies about their progress thus far, while giving a platform to local leaders and residents.

Congressional field hearing panelists were U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, and Katie Porter (D-Calif.), member of the full House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, along with Hawai'i Democratic Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, whose districts include Maui.

The federal witness panel included Robert J. Fenton, Region 9 - Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Eric Swenson, St. Paul District Commander and District Engineer; Cheree Peterson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Regional Administration Region 9; and Francisco Sanchez Jr., Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience Associate Administrator. The state/local witness panel included Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Defense; Mayor Richard Bissen; Lauren Nahme, Hawaii Community Foundation's Senior Vice President of Maui Recovery Office; Sne Patel, LahainaTown Action Committee president; and Ke'eaumoku Kapu, Na 'Aikane o Maui president and CEO.

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate any matter at any time. The panel's mission is to ensure federal agencies perform their duties efficiently and accountably.