The head of Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency resigned on Thursday, citing health reasons.
Administrator Herman Andaya had been criticized for his handling of the deadly wildfire disaster that ravaged parts of the island, particularly his decision not to sound the county’s emergency sirens.
“Given the gravity of 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,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said, according to NBC 5 DFW.
Andaya defended his decision earlier in the week, claiming that the sirens would have sent people fleeing toward the fire since the sirens are typically used for tsunamis.
As of Thursday, the death toll stands at 111.
“Did mistakes happen? Absolutely. … The most important thing we can do at this point is to learn how to keep ourselves safer going forward,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said, adding that he has ordered a civil inquiry into the emergency response, The New York Times reported.
One North Texas family that was vacationing in Maui when the fires broke out spoke with CBS News Texas about the harrowing ordeal.
Ryan and Kim Welch told the news outlet they only managed to get off the island with the help of Hawaii’s Inspire Church, which assisted them in getting to Oahu. Volunteers made sure they had food.
“The biggest thing that I want to make sure that we don’t forget is the gifts that were given to us, and that the people in Maui are still hurting,” Kim said.
The couple said it was now working to collect donations for the people of Lahaina, which was devastated by the fires.
