Herman Andaya, the administrator of Maui County Emergency Management, has resigned following criticism from local residents and media regarding the island's response to the deadly wildfires that claimed the lives of at least 111 people.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen cited health reasons for Andaya's resignation. The move comes after Andaya's first press conference appearance, over a week after the catastrophic wildfires resulted in the destruction or damage of 2,200 buildings and an estimated $5.5 billion in losses.
The decision not to activate emergency sirens, deemed ineffective and confusing by Andaya's agency, has sparked controversy and debate among Maui residents, some of whom believe that lives could have been saved had the sirens been used. The mayor stated that a replacement for Andaya's position will be announced soon to address the ongoing crisis.
During a tense press conference on Wednesday, Herman Andaya, Maui County Emergency Management Administrator, defended the decision not to activate emergency sirens during the deadly wildfires. He explained that the public is trained to seek higher ground when sirens sound, but in this case, using the sirens could have led people into the path of the fire. The government's response to the fire faced questioning from reporters during the press conference.
In a reassuring message, President Joe Biden pledged unwavering support to the people of Maui in their recovery and rebuilding efforts after the devastating wildfires.
Biden's commitment included the dispatch of hundreds of emergency personnel, meals, and essential supplies to the affected town of Lahaina. Airing a brief video on ABC's "Good Morning America," Biden announced his upcoming visit to Hawaii on Monday to personally assess the damage, meet with first responders, and connect with survivors.
Responding to growing concerns about the response to the deadly wildfire, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announced her decision to appoint an independent third-party agency to conduct a thorough investigation and assessment of the actions taken by state and county officials.
This move comes after Hawaii Governor Josh Green tasked Lopez with overseeing a comprehensive review of the entire process, spanning the period before, during, and after the fire. The investigation, which is expected to extend over several months, aims to shed light on the sequence of events and decisions made during this crisis.
Amidst the aftermath of the devastating wildfire, the spirit of unity and support is evident as hundreds of volunteers rally to aid displaced residents of Lahaina. Many affected individuals have found refuge in county-run shelters, with friends, relatives, and even donated accommodations.
Volunteers are working tirelessly to provide supplies, distribute essential resources like food and water, and offer emotional assistance to fellow Maui residents. This outpouring of community support reflects the deep-rooted Hawaiian value of 'ohana' – the understanding that everyone is part of a larger family, bound by the island's sense of togetherness.
Hawaii's senior water manager, Kaleo Manuel, has been reassigned to a different position within the state's land and natural resources department. The move comes after reports suggesting that Manuel delayed the release of agricultural water to combat the Lahaina fire.
Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) clarified that this reassignment doesn't imply any wrongdoing on Manuel's part but rather aims to enable Maui's water management agency to focus on wildfire recovery efforts. The Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action raised concerns that Manuel is being unfairly blamed for the fire's impact, arguing that earlier water release wouldn't have significantly altered the outcome due to technical and environmental factors.
As the investigation continues and the community rallies together, Hawaii's response to this tragic event remains under scrutiny, highlighting the intricate balance between accountability and the complexity of managing natural disasters.