'Lost Forever': During Biden's Hawaii Visit, 'One In Every Four' Children Are Likely Missing From First Day Of School Following Devastating Wildfires

Following the devastating wildfires that engulfed the Hawaiian island of Maui, more so in the town of Lahaina, the first day of school is beginning for thousands of residents. However, it is likely that hundreds of children, as much as 25 percent, will not be showing up to school as over a thousand residents remain missing following the fires. This is all while President Joe Biden finally travels to Maui on Monday after nearly a week of criticism for his handling of the disaster.

As reported by Reuters, the city of Lahaina served more than 3,000 students. Despite that, only 600 students have actually enrolled in schools with 400 choosing to go to other institutions on the island and 200 opting for distance learning. It is unclear how many children died from the fire or how many parents decided to opt out of sending their children to school. 

Nevertheless, at least 1,050 still people remain missing according to Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) as the death toll surpasses 110. The governor said over the weekend that it is "possible that there will be many children" among those missing due to the fact that Lahainaluna High School canceled classes on the day of the fire due to high winds. Only hours after the cancellation, the fire destroyed 2,200 homes, the King Kamehameha III Elementary School, and three other school campuses.

"For the schools that started today," Alex Fielding, who is responsible for reestablishing internet and power for the community as the CEO of Privateer, told Fox Weather, as reported by The Post Millenial. "I can't imagine what roll call looks like … when one in every four is likely not going to be there in those classes, in those neighborhoods. I don't know how you have enough teachers or counselors or therapists, or how you there's no way to do justice to the real tragedy on the ground."

Teachers at the institutions are attempting to prioritize the mental well-being of returning students with the head of the Maui chapter of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, teacher Mike Landes, saying, "Social and emotional well-being, care for people who are traumatized - I think it would be fair to say that's what would need to come first."

Governor Green took to CBS's 'Face the Nation' to discuss the devastation where he explained that some people will simply be "lost forever" as only six of the over 110 confirmed dead have been identified.

"We do have extreme concerns that because of the temperature of the fire, the remains of those who have died, in some cases, may be impossible to recover meaningfully," the governor explained. "So there are going to be people that are lost forever. And right now we're working obviously, with the FBI and everyone on the ground to make sure that we do what we can to assess who's missing."

The first day of school for Lahaina's children comes over a week after the blaze first began and coincides with President Joe Biden's visit to the disaster zone after he faced substantial criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike following his infamous "no comment" remark in response to the mourning families.

Biden will land in Hawaii on Monday morning and tour via helicopter the devastated community, according to Fox News. "Following the tour, the President will deliver remarks paying respects to the lives lost and reflecting on the tragic, lasting impacts of these wildfires on survivors and the community. In his remarks, he will announce the appointment of FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton as the Chief Federal Response Coordinator to oversee a long-term coordinated federal recovery effort," 

As families continue to search for loved ones, it is about time that President Biden showed up to the devastated community. Children will be heading to their first day of school missing family members and classmates. Americans everywhere are praying for them as the search for the over 1,000 missing persons continues.

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