Maui County Emergency Management Administrator Resigns Following Criticism of Wildfire Response
KIHEI, Hawaii – Herman Andaya, the administrator of Maui County Emergency Management, has resigned amid mounting criticism from local residents and media over the island’s response to the deadly wildfires that claimed the lives of at least 111 people. The announcement was made by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, who cited health reasons for Andaya’s departure.
In a statement, Mayor Bissen acknowledged the gravity of the crisis and pledged to swiftly fill the vacant position. “Given the crisis we are facing, my team and I will be placing someone in this key position as quickly as possible, and I look forward to making that announcement soon,” Bissen said.
Andaya’s resignation comes just one day after he made his first appearance in a press conference, which took place more than a week after the catastrophic wildfires destroyed or damaged 2,200 buildings and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. The fires also left hundreds of people unaccounted for.
Critics have pointed out that lives could have been saved if emergency sirens had been sounded. However, Andaya’s agency decided against using them, arguing that they would have been ineffective and confusing. Andaya defended this decision during Wednesday’s press conference, stating that the public is trained to seek higher ground when sirens are sounded. He expressed concerns that sounding the sirens would have led people into the path of the fire.
In response to the devastating wildfires, President Joe Biden pledged the unwavering commitment of the U.S. government to assist the people of Maui in their recovery, rebuilding, and grieving process. In a video aired on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Biden highlighted the federal government’s efforts in sending hundreds of emergency personnel, thousands of meals, and essential supplies to the affected town of Lahaina. The President also announced his plans to visit Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation and meet with first responders and survivors.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez has announced that she will appoint a private, third-party agency to investigate and review the response of state and county officials to the deadly wildfire. The comprehensive review, which will likely take months, aims to assess the actions taken before, during, and after the fire.
In the aftermath of the disaster, hundreds of volunteers have stepped up to support displaced residents of Lahaina. Many affected individuals are currently seeking shelter in Maui County-run facilities, the homes of friends and relatives, as well as donated hotel rooms and vacation rentals. These volunteers are providing supplies, distributing food and water, and offering emotional support to their fellow Maui residents.
In a separate development, Hawaii senior water manager Kaleo Manuel has been transferred to a different position following reports that he delayed requests by a real estate development company to release agricultural water to help fight the Lahaina fire. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) stated that Manuel’s reassignment was intended to allow Maui’s water management agency to focus on wildfire recovery work. The DLNR emphasized that the move does not imply any wrongdoing on Manuel’s part.
However, the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action has accused the government of using Manuel as a scapegoat for the Lahaina fire. They argue that releasing stream water into reservoirs earlier would not have made a difference, as these reservoirs are not connected to Lahaina’s hydrant system. Additionally, the windy conditions at the time would have hindered helicopter operations to scoop water from the reservoirs.
As the investigation and recovery efforts continue, the people of Maui are relying on the support of volunteers and the commitment of government officials to rebuild their community and heal from the devastating wildfires.
Reporting by Jonathan Allen in Maui; additional reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago, Julia Harte in New York, Eric Beech in Washington, Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California, Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico, Jasper Ward in Washington, and Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado; editing by Frank McGurty, Alistair Bell, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler, and Lincoln Feast.
Why did Maui County Emergency Management Administrator resign amid wildfire response criticism?
Maui County Emergency Management Administrator resigns amid wildfire response criticism
Herman Andaya, the administrator of Maui County Emergency Management, has resigned following increasing criticism of the island’s response to the deadly wildfires that claimed the lives of at least 111 people. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced Andaya’s departure, citing health reasons for his resignation.
Acknowledging the severity of the crisis, Mayor Bissen stated that a replacement would be appointed swiftly. “Given the crisis we are facing, my team and I will be placing someone in this key position as quickly as possible, and I look forward to making that announcement soon,” Mayor Bissen said in a statement.
Andaya’s resignation follows his first appearance in a press conference, which took place over a week after the catastrophic wildfires destroyed or damaged 2,200 buildings and caused approximately $5.5 billion in damage. The fires also left hundreds of people unaccounted for.
Critics have argued that lives could have been saved if emergency sirens had been used. However, Andaya’s agency decided against using them, asserting that they would be ineffective and confusing. Andaya defended this decision, stating that the public is trained to seek higher ground when sirens are sounded and that sounding the sirens could have directed people into the path of the fire.
President Joe Biden has pledged the unwavering commitment of the U.S. government to aid the people of Maui in their recovery and rebuilding process. He highlighted the government’s efforts in sending emergency personnel, meals, and essential supplies to the affected town of Lahaina, and announced plans to visit Hawaii on Monday to assess the devastation and meet with first responders and survivors.
Additionally, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez has announced the appointment of a private, third-party agency to investigate and review the response of state and county officials to the deadly wildfires. This comprehensive review aims to assess actions taken before, during, and after the fire and is expected to take several months.
In the aftermath of the disaster, hundreds of volunteers have come forward to support the affected community.
“It’s disappointing to see the administrator resign, but it’s crucial that lessons are learned from this wildfire response for future emergencies.”
“Accountability is important, but let’s not forget the hard work and dedication put in by the emergency response teams during a challenging situation.”