Hawaii Disaster

Floor Speech

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Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, over the last several days, the people of Hawaii have faced extreme and severe weather, heavily impacting the communities of Waimanalo, east Oahu, and most heavily, the island of Kauai.

Far too many people are living and struggling in chaos as a result of record-breaking rain, flooding, and landslides that have completely devastated communities, homes, and businesses. It has led to hundreds of people being evacuated.

Many people are still struggling without water and electricity. They are stranded, separated from their children and family members on different parts of the island, and relying on airlifts from the Hawaii National Guard for basic supplies. Time and again, our Kauai community has come together, proven to be strong and resilient, mobilized to support and take care of each other.

I want to say a big thank you to Mayor Carvalho, the Hawaii National Guard, the Coast Guard, our first responders, organizations like the Red Cross, churches, schools, and members of our community who have stood up and taken action, leaders like: Joel Guy and Ryan Sebring; Doug Phillips, who was running boats; Laird Hamilton, who was running water rescue; Hanalei and the Takeshiros, who were running their Zodiac up and down the Wainiha River; Malama Kawai, Mocu Chandler, Laura Richards, and so many more.

I am looking forward to being on Kauai tomorrow to offer my support to those who are helping provide relief to those most affected as our delegation stands ready to help Kauai recover from this disaster.

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