I’m not sure about blocking aid and support, but the gov was blocking access to west Maui for a few days while they went through the area.

It is my belief that the number of dead is much higher than being reported. Individuals I know who are providing direct relief to west Maui via boat suggested more then a thousand people may have lost their lives in this tragedy. This is unconfirmed reports.

I suspect the federal and state government would try and delay this knowledge by controlling access to the area, but are not intentionally blocking aid . Many individuals in west Maui did not want to leave to shelters in town because they had perfectly comfortable homes and would be prevented from returning.

Access back into Lahaina and west Maui is starting to open back up, so I suspect the relief will begin to flow more readily now.