Maui County’s Top Emergency Management Official Resigns Following Fire Controversy

Maui County’s top emergency management official, Herman Andaya, resigned Thursday, one day after defending his decision not to sound warning sirens as wildfires swept across the island. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen accepted Andaya’s resignation, which was effective immediately, due to health reasons.

Andaya had previously noted that the public was trained to seek higher ground in the event that the sirens were sounded. Bissen said in a statement that he and his team would be placing someone in the key position as soon as possible.

The Maui wildfires broke out on August 8th, and residents reported that they were not evacuated and that none of the island’s warning sirens sounded for evacuation. The fires have since been contained, but the incident has raised questions about the county’s emergency management protocols.

Maui County officials have not yet announced who will replace Andaya as the administrator of the county’s emergency management agency. In the meantime, the county is urging residents to remain vigilant and to be prepared for any potential emergencies.