Former President Barack Obama has been telling everyone the best way to promote Hawaii’s recovery after the devastating wildfire.
But in 2020, Obama’s associates were asking for exemptions to Hawaii’s environmental regulations.
In a video posted to Twitter, the former president encouraged his followers to fund charities like Malama Maui and the Hawaii Red Cross. Along with the former first lady, he later posted a link to all the Obama-approved charities.
“Aloha, everybody,” Obama began. “As someone who grew up in Hawaii, as someone who has taken my family to enjoy the incredible beauty of that island and the hospitality of the people of Lahaina, we now find ourselves mourning the lives that are lost.”
He continued —
The thing about it is, though, thoughts and prayers in a moment like this are not enough. We have to step up, and we have to step those families, and we have to help Lahaina rebuild. The good news is, though, that the Hawaii Red Cross and Malama Maui are mobilizing to provide direct support to people who are desperately in need. I’m asking you to do everything you can, to generously support the Malama Maui effort. If all of us — the Ohana — pull together and do as much as we can to give back to an island and a town and a people who have given us so much, I’m absolutely confident that Lahaina and Maui and those families are going to be able to rebuild. But we’ve got to be a part of that. So, please, provide generous support to the Hawaii Red Cross and to Malama Maui right now.
The former president didn’t seem so concerned for Hawaii’s natural landscape in 2020.
At the time, Obama Foundation Chair Marty Nesbitt successfully reportedly obtained a permit to expand and refurbish a beachfront property’s seawall, even after drowning the beaches nearby.
Obama himself was expected to occupy the beachfront house at some point, according to a report from ProPublica.
ProPublica reported —
The property owners, including Marty Nesbitt, chair of the Obama Foundation, argued they needed an exemption to protect the sprawling compound they are building in eastern Oahu. State officials and community members say the former president, who was born and raised in Hawaii, is expected to be among the property’s future occupants.
Honolulu Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi told county officials that she was gravely concerned that the primary purpose of the seawall repair project was to protect the private estate, as opposed to environmental and cultural resources…
“I’m just disappointed that this project wasn’t more fully vetted because of the sensitivities of the area,” she said.
Obama was slammed for his hypocrisy, following his video encouraging wildfire relief.
“When you’re the chair of the obama foundation the green stuff is meaningless,” one person tweeted.
Take a look —
It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawai’i — a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down.
If you’d like to help, you can do so here.…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 10, 2023
When you're the chair of the obama foundation the green stuff is meaningless pic.twitter.com/qr110ytcaB
— unspinthespinagain (@unspinthespina1) August 13, 2023
It will take all of us coming together and doing what we can to help those in need in Maui and Lāhainā right now. I hope you’ll join me in donating to the Hawai'i Red Cross today: https://t.co/CPtVJ8fGSq pic.twitter.com/yvIDCG15MP
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 15, 2023
The Horn editorial team