After criticism: Biden says he will visit Hawaii soon

US President Joe Biden said he would travel to Hawaii "as soon as he can" amid criticism of his response to the deadly island fires, the BBC reported.

Speaking in Milwaukee, Biden said he wanted to ensure that people in the state have "everything they need".

So far, nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead in the fires. Hawaii residents have complained about the speed of the federal government's response. While at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware over the weekend, a reporter asked Biden about the rising death toll in Hawaii, and he replied: "No comment".

The President said on Tuesday that he had not yet visited due to concerns that it would divert resources and attention from the humanitarian response. Jill Biden will accompany him to Hawaii, he said.

"I don't want to get in the way. I've been to too many disaster areas," Biden said.

"I want to make sure we don't interfere with the ongoing recovery efforts," he added.

More than 500 federal emergency personnel have been sent so far to assist in providing aid, including 150 search and rescue specialists. Additional personnel are being sent to Maui to help those already on the ground, Biden says.

"All available federal assets" in the region will be used for recovery efforts, including the US military and Coast Guard.

"It's painstaking work. It takes time and nerves," he said.