Hawaii Governor Josh Green addresses Maui wildfires and announces upcoming financial investments

In the wake of the Maui wildfires, Hawaii Governor Josh Green teamed up with Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and other officials to shed light on the ongoing situation and address pivotal concerns about the disaster recovery process.

Governor Green stressed the collective responsibility of the state’s residents and visitors. Drawing parallels with the pandemic’s widespread impact, he advised, “For now, we advise against travel to West Maui. However, the rest of Maui, as well as the entire state, remains safe.”

Moreover, the Governor promised a comprehensive update in a forthcoming statewide address scheduled for Friday. His primary intent is to guide travelers in a way that doesn’t hinder the disaster recovery operations underway. “Our objective is to ensure that visitor influx doesn’t hamper the relentless efforts of the dedicated personnel on the ground,” emphasized Governor Green.

Highlighting the silver lining in the aftermath, Governor Green unveiled potential economic opportunities for the affected region. “I foresee an immediate investment ranging from $500 to $600 million dedicated to preliminary cleanup operations, followed by multi-billion-dollar reconstruction initiatives. Furthermore, we’re geared towards launching a public work program to employ local residents. This ensures the generated income remains within our community. A substantial investment is earmarked for Maui, which will not only aid in relief efforts but will also play a crucial role in the region’s revival,” Governor Green affirmed.