Outdoor alert sirens on Maui remained silent as a destructive fire ravaged the Lahaina community last week, sparking criticism from residents and resulting in the resignation of Administrator Herman Andaya. Andaya defended his decision not to deploy the sirens, stating that he was concerned it would have led people into the fire. However, the lack of warning, along with other communication issues, has intensified scrutiny of the response to the deadly wildfire. Mayor Richard Bissen accepted Andaya’s resignation and pledged to appoint a replacement swiftly. The absence of the sirens has emerged as a potential error in the emergency response, and an impartial review of the government’s handling of the situation is set to take place.
The outdoor alert siren system in Hawaii is considered the largest in the world and was established following a tsunami in 1946. The system, which can also be used to alert for fires, failed to provide early warning to residents during the Lahaina wildfire.
Andaya, who had held his position since 2017, defended his credentials for the job and stated his disappointment over the events that transpired during the wildfire. Local landowners are concerned that the fire will lead to an increase in tourism-focused development, prompting Governor Josh Green to seek a moratorium on land transactions in Lahaina.
Displaced residents are being accommodated in hotels managed by the American Red Cross, with plans to transition them out of group shelters and into more comfortable accommodations. The search for missing individuals extends beyond Lahaina to other affected areas, with approximately 45% of the burned territory already covered in the search efforts. While some residents have questioned the lack of sirens and evacuation routes, others acknowledge that the fire appeared suddenly and caught everyone off guard.
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