Press Release Published: Aug 21, 2024
Sessions Announces Field Hearing in Hawaii on Federal Response to Maui Wildfires
WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) today announced a hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires” to examine the ongoing federal response to the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii that occurred in August 2023.
“The wildfires in Maui coincided with the Subcommittee’s hearing in Ft. Myers, FL, to review the federal government’s recovery efforts to Hurricane Ian. We just passed the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in Maui. This hearing provides an opportunity to determine whether lessons learned in Florida have been implemented or whether congressional action may be necessary. It is also an opportunity to review additional aspects of the recovery process that the specific circumstances and characteristics of Maui will highlight. I am holding this hearing in close conjunction with my colleagues from the Hawaiian delegation, and together we intend to ensure the people of Hawaii receive the necessary support from federal agencies,” said Subcommittee Chairman Sessions.
WHAT: Hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires”
DATE: September 4, 2024
TIME: 10:00 AM HST
LOCATION: Lahaina Civic Center, Social Hall, 1840 HI-30, Lahaina, HI 96761
WITNESS:
Panel I:
- Mr. Bob Fenton, Regional Administrator (Region 9), Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Col. Eric Swenson, Commander, St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Mr. Francisco Sánchez, Jr., Associate Administrator, Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, Small Business Administration
- Ms. Cheree Peterson, Deputy Regional Administrator (Region 9), Environmental Protection Agency
Panel II: State/Local Witnesses
- Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, Governor’s Office
- Mr. Richard Bissen, Mayor, Maui County
- Ms. Lauren Nahme, Hawaii Community Foundation, SVP of the Maui Recovery Office
- Mr. Sne Patel, LahainaTown Action Committee
- Mr. Ke’eaumoku Kapu, President & CEO, Na Aikane O Maui
The hearing will be open for viewing to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://oversight.house.gov/. Please note this hearing is intended for lawmakers to hear from invited witnesses and it is not a public forum.
Media wishing to attend the hearing should RSVP here.