Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino led an inspection of the Haiku flood areas along with U.S. Representative Kaiali`i “Kai” Kahele in an effort to assess damage and speak with residents affected by the recent flooding.

The two elected officials toured Kaupakalua Dam, visited the washed out Peahi Bridge and met with residents, including Mark Alexander of Haiku whose property was nearly washed away in the floods.

“The health and safety of all the residents of Maui County as well as the other counties, Hawai`i, Kaua`i and Honolulu are my top priorities,” said Rep. Kahele in a press release in from the Maui County Mayor’s Office.

“It was important for Congressman Kahele to see the area with his own eyes,” Mayor Victorino said. “It’s hard to understand the severity of the flooding and magnitude of damage until you visit the place and talk with the farmers, homeowners and families that were affected. His assessment will be important to FEMA officials when considering relief measures for our community.”

Earlier this month Kahele co-signed a letter with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono as well as U.S. Representative Ed Case to call on President Biden to expedite emergency funding to help all Hawai’i communities recover the recent natural disasters.

Photo Courtesy of County of Maui / Shane Tegarden