President Joe Biden made a poignant visit to the fire-ravaged region of Hawaii Monday, offering his personal assessment of the destruction wrought by a devastating wildfire that left a trail of devastation in its wake, according to a recent Maui wildfire update.

The visit allowed Joe Biden to witness firsthand the aftermath of the deadliest American wildfire in over a century and evaluate the government's response, which had drawn some initial criticism from Republicans due to perceived delays in addressing the tragedy, per CNN.

Biden's trip brought him to the heart of the tragedy, where he pledged unwavering support to the affected residents.

He assured them that the entire nation stood with them during this trying time and emphasized the federal government's commitment to aiding in the rebuilding process, aligning with the vision of the Maui community.

Biden began his visit with an aerial tour of the fire-ravaged area via Marine One, gaining a comprehensive view of the destruction left behind by the flames.

He then proceeded to tour the historic town of Lahaina, which had been nearly obliterated by the inferno, directly observing the extent of the damage and expressing his empathy for the residents.

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Joe Biden Cut Vacation Short To Visit Hawaii

Interrupting their weeklong vacation in the Lake Tahoe region, President Biden and the First Lady, Jill Biden, flew to Lahaina for this critical visit, per KCRA.

The couple engaged with first responders and local officials, receiving comprehensive briefings on the ongoing response efforts and the challenges ahead.

President Biden appointed Bob Fenton, a senior leader at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as the chief federal response coordinator for the Maui wildfires to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response.

This appointment solidifies the administration's commitment to supporting the community's long-term recovery process, which is expected to span several years due to the extent of the damage.

The President also expressed his determination to respect sacred lands, cultures, and traditions throughout the rebuilding process, acknowledging Lahaina's historical and cultural significance.

Maui Wildfire Update: Death Toll and Missing People

The scale of the tragedy remains evident, as reports indicate that 850 individuals are still missing following the wildfires.

Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed that 114 deaths have been verified, with 27 victims identified and 1,285 people originally reported missing now located safely, The Guardian noted.

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii provided additional insights, highlighting the challenges faced by survivors, including power and communication outages, unsafe drinking water, and the loss of essential documents.

Despite these obstacles, over 1,000 federal officials continue to be actively involved in the recovery efforts on the ground, with the administration having already disbursed over $8 million in aid to affected families.

Accompanying President Biden on his journey to his home state on Monday, Schatz emphasized that the response to the disaster was ongoing, and the region had not yet transitioned into the recovery phase.

He said, "As dire as the situation appears, it's even worse than it seems."

He elaborated that the unseen damage to utility infrastructure, the challenges faced by thousands of students attempting to navigate the upcoming school year, and the courageous actions of first responders risking their lives, often resulting in their own homes being consumed by flames, all contribute to a deeper level of crisis.

While in Lake Tahoe for vacation, President Biden has remained consistently engaged in receiving Maui wildfire updates and responses from officials through regular phone briefings, according to the White House.

READ MORE: Hawaii Governor Warns Realtors Trying To Take Advantage of Disaster Maui Wildfire 

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Biden speaks in Lahaina after surveying Maui fire damage | full video - From CBS News