Resignation of Maui’s Emergency Management Chief Due to Health Reasons, Following Start of Deadly Wildfires

Maui’s emergency management agency is facing increased scrutiny following the resignation of its administrator, Herman Andaya, who cited health reasons. The resignation comes in the wake of the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years, which began on the Hawaiian island nine days ago. Andaya’s decision not to activate the island’s siren system, primarily used for tsunami warnings, has been heavily criticized. Andaya defended his decision, stating that sounding the alarms would have caused panic and potentially put residents in harm’s way. However, his response has been described as “insulting” by state Sen. Angus McKelvey, who accused Andaya of underestimating the intelligence of residents.

The wildfires, which started on August 8, have claimed the lives of at least 111 people, including children. The number of residents unaccounted for is believed to be over 1,000. Search crews are continuing to scour the burnt debris of more than 2,000 homes and businesses. The cause of the fires has not yet been determined, but Hawaiian Electric, the major power company on Maui, is also facing scrutiny for not shutting down power lines during high winds, which created dangerous fire conditions. A sensor network on Maui detected multiple faults on the utility grid in the hours leading up to the fires.

The state attorney general will conduct a review of official decisions made in response to the wildfires. President Joe Biden is set to visit Maui on Monday to assess the situation. The search for victims has been challenging, as remains are largely unrecognizable and fingerprints are rarely found. Authorities have asked relatives of the missing to provide DNA samples to aid in identification. Canine units from 15 states have joined the search efforts.

The focus now shifts to emergency response and recovery efforts. Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura stated that crews are spread thin across the island but are prepared for any further developments. The devastated area is being combed for any remaining hotspots. The clean-up and rebuilding process is expected to be lengthy and arduous.

In the wake of this devastating tragedy, questions are being raised about the adequacy of emergency preparedness measures and the response of authorities. The investigation into the cause of the fires and the actions of the emergency management agency will shed light on any failures and help prevent similar incidents in the future. The priority now is to provide support to the affected communities and ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-18 03:21:00