Former president Barack Obama finally released a message to the people of Maui, Hawaii who are in dire circumstances after wildfires completely razed the island.
Obama who grew up in Hawaii released a message saying “As someone who grew up in Hawaii, as someone who has taken my family to enjoy the incredible beauty of that island and the hospitality of the people of Lahaina, we now find ourselves mourning the lives that are lost and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have lost so much.”
He continued “The thing about it is though, thoughts and prayers in a moment like this are not enough.”
Watch the video below:
It will take all of us coming together and doing what we can to help those in need in Maui and Lāhainā right now. I hope you’ll join me in donating to the Hawai'i Red Cross today: https://t.co/CPtVJ8fGSq pic.twitter.com/yvIDCG15MP
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 15, 2023
Maybe Obama should call out Biden for only offering the people of Maui who lost everything $700 a piece while he offers citizens of Ukraine billions of dollars.
JUST IN: Joe Biden vows to send a whopping $700 payment per household that was impacted by the Maui wildfires.
Can someone please explain to me why our leaders are so reckless with money sent to Ukraine but then pinch pennies when the money is spent on Americans?
Billions in… pic.twitter.com/XiyAMklB9S
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 14, 2023
Here is what CBS News reported:
Former President Barack Obama, who grew up in Hawaii, is urging people to do everything they can to support efforts to rebuild Maui and Lahaina, which are being ravaged by wildfires.
In an Instagram video posted on Monday, Obama said he and former first lady Michelle Obama are heartbroken by the tragic wildfires that caused devastation in Maui, especially the historic city of Lahaina.
Last week, Lahaina, which was once the capital of Hawaii, bore the brut wildfires, which became the deadliest in U.S. history. At least 99 people have died as of Monday and more than 1,000 people are still unaccounted for. Some people jumped into the water to escape the blaze as it tore through the town.
“As someone who grew up in Hawaii, as someone who has taken my family to enjoy the incredible beauty of that island and the hospitality of the people of Lahaina, we now find ourselves mourning the lives that are lost and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have lost so much,” said Obama. “The thing about it is though, thoughts and prayers in a moment like this are not enough.”
Former President Barack Obama—who was born in and spent much of his childhood in Hawaii—released a new video urging his social media followers to support relief efforts in Lahaina by donating to the Hawaii Red Cross and Malama Maui pic.twitter.com/ttmuMEXl1h
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) August 16, 2023
Per The Hill:
Former President Obama on Tuesday highlighted several organizations providing relief to Maui residents in the wake of last week’s deadly wildfires as he urged people to donate to recovery efforts on the island.
“If you’re looking for more ways to support folks in Lāhainā and on Maui, I hope you’ll consider donating to these local organizations that are providing direct support on the ground,” Obama said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
His post linked to the Obama Foundation website, which pointed to several Maui-based organizations and funds, including The Maui Strong Fund from Hawai’i Community Foundation, Maui Rapid Response, Maui Humane Society and New Life Kahuku Inc. It also featured national efforts, such as the American Red Cross and Wildfire Fund.
Obama, who grew up in Honolulu, said in a video message on Monday he and former first lady Michelle Obama are “absolutely heartbroken” by the “devastating images” coming out of his home state.
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