Maui’s emergency management chief, Herman Andaya, has defended the agency’s decision not to sound sirens during last week’s deadly wildfire, despite questions about whether doing so could have saved lives. Andaya explained that sirens in Hawaii are typically used to alert people to tsunamis, and using them during the fire could have led people to evacuate towards the danger. The grassland fire, which occurred on August 8, resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people and the destruction or damage of around 2,200 buildings in the tourist resort town of Lahaina.
During a press conference, Andaya stated that the public is trained to seek higher ground when sirens are sounded. He expressed concerns that if the sirens had been used during the fire, people would have gone towards the mountainside and potentially into the fire. Instead, Maui relied on two different alert systems, sending text messages to phones and broadcasting emergency messages on television and radio. Andaya also noted that the sirens are primarily located on the waterfront, making them useless to people on higher ground.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green supported the decision not to sound sirens and has ordered a comprehensive review of the emergency response, involving outside investigators and experts. Green emphasized that the review is not a criminal investigation but rather an opportunity to learn how to improve safety measures in the future.
In other developments, U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are set to travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation caused by the wildfire and meet with first responders, survivors, and officials. Additionally, a main road through town, which had been closed for days, was reopened in response to frustration from residents. The road had previously been accessible only to residents, first responders, and local business employees.
As the search for victims continues, hundreds of people remain unaccounted for. Cadaver dogs have covered 38% of the disaster area, and the number of dogs involved in the search is expected to double to 40. The death toll has risen to 110, according to Governor Green. Identification of the remains has been slow due to the intensity of the fire. Maui County has released the names of two victims, Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both from Lahaina. Three other individuals have been identified but their names are being withheld pending family notification.
Amidst the tragedy, stories of survival have emerged. Laurie Allen, who suffered burns over 70% of her body, managed to escape a blocked car and flee across a burning field. Doctors are hopeful that she will regain partial use of her arms. The sight of tourists enjoying Maui’s beaches while search-and-rescue teams continue their efforts has sparked outrage among some residents.
The situation in Maui continues to be closely monitored, with efforts focused on identifying the deceased and providing support to survivors.
What steps can be taken to ensure that alert systems are effective and properly reach all individuals, especially those in higher areas where sirens may not be heard
T to sound sirens during the deadly wildfire in Maui last week. Speaking at a press conference, Green echoed Andaya’s explanation that sirens in Hawaii are reserved for alerting people to tsunamis and using them during the fire could have led to people evacuating towards the danger rather than away from it. Green emphasized the importance of relying on multiple alert systems, such as text messages, television, and radio broadcasts, to ensure the safety of the public. He also acknowledged the limitation of sirens being primarily located on the waterfront, rendering them ineffective for those in higher areas. Green’s support for the agency’s decision comes in the wake of questions regarding whether the use of sirens could have saved lives during the devastating grassland fire, which claimed the lives of at least 110 people and caused significant damage to numerous buildings in the popular tourist destination of Lahaina.
It’s alarming how such a crucial safety measure was overlooked during such a devastating wildfire. Citizens should always be prioritized over controversy.