A week after the massive devastation of a deadly fire in Maui, Hawaii – and the uproar caused by his statement of “no comment” on the at least 110 victims – the US president is visiting Hawaii and the flattened city of Lehaina on Monday.

US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Diane Criswell said today that Joe Beinen will assure Lehaina residents that they will be in control of the recovery effort.

“The US president along with the first lady plan to visit the historic city of Hawaii and meet with the disaster response crews who arrived first in the area, with local officials, but also with victims, in order to be informed effectively and immediately about the true extent of destruction,” Criswell told CNN.

“I remain committed to providing everything Hawaiians need to recover from this disaster,” the head of state said via X (formerly Twitter).

Mr. Biden quickly declared Hawaii a state of natural disaster, which allowed federal resources to be deployed, and he has spoken repeatedly with Gov. Greene.

However, he is criticized by the Republican opposition for his reaction, characterized as inadequate or indifferent.