This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Reasoning · 34 wordsHurricane Lala never technically made landfall in Hawaii, 1but disasters aren’t measured by whether the eye of a storm crosses a shoreline. They are measured by what they leave behind, and Lala left devastation. Claims · 29 wordsOver 3 days, an estimated 1.3 trillion gallons of rain fell across our State.23 Hawaii Island took the brunt of it, with some communities seeing 20 to 40 inches.4 Anecdote · 5 wordsI saw the damages myself.Anecdote Claims · 114 wordsAt Na’alehu Elementary, buildings were pushed off their foundations by the force of water and debris.5 Parts of Highway 11 were washed away.6 At Na’alehu Cemetery, floodwaters tragically disturbed the resting place of generations of loved ones. Hundreds of homes across Hawaii were damaged or destroyed.7 At the height of the storm, over 200,000 people were left without power.8 However, I also saw Hawaii at its best: neighbors checking on neighbors, community hubs feeding families, supplies flown in by helicopter and carried on horseback to communities cut off by damaged roads, school workers preparing food and hygiene supplies for our ``children,’’ ``keiki,’’ even while their campuses were closed. When disaster strikes, Hawaii shows up. The ask · 8 wordsNow Washington needs to show up for Hawaii. Claims · 19 wordsI am grateful the President approved an emergency declaration, bringing critical FEMA resources to Hawaii, Maui, 9and Honolulu counties, The ask · 19 wordsbut we need a major disaster declaration and individual assistance to help our families, farmers, and small businesses recover. Reasoning · 10 wordsThe storm may be gone, but the emergency is not. Claims · 26 wordsFamilies are still without power. People still need food, medicine, clothing, and basic necessities. Roads, homes, schools, farms, and businesses need to be repaired and rebuilt. Reasoning · 27 wordsEven as we recover, we have to prepare, because the Pacific is still churning. More storms are coming, and they will not wait for Hawaii to recover. The ask · 46 wordsWe need to replenish supplies, strengthen critical infrastructure, restore essential services, Vague promiseand make sure our most isolated communities are prepared to withstand whatever comes next.Vague promise Help our people recover, prepare for what is coming next, and do it now. That is what Hawaii needs from Washington.
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