Maui residents trying to save their properties from last week’s devastating wildfires were reportedly delayed in receiving water by Hawaiian authorities, according to local media. Four insider sources revealed that the Maui Department of Land and Natural Resources intentionally stalled the release of water requested by West Maui Land Co., which manages agricultural and residential developments on the western part of the island. The company needed the additional water to stop the fast-moving blaze that eventually leveled the town of Lahaina. However, the agency’s deputy director for water management, M. Kaleo Manuel, allegedly insisted on obtaining permission from a farm downstream of the property before releasing the water. By the time permission was granted, it was too late and the fire had already spread.
The response of Maui’s Emergency Management Agency to the wildfire has also come under criticism. Agency director Herman Andaya defended the decision not to activate the island’s warning sirens, arguing that the sirens were primarily designed for tsunami warnings, not wildfires. He stated that using the sirens to alert residents to the blaze would have sent the wrong message to the public. However, the island’s website describes the sirens as an “all-hazard” system, designed for various natural and human-caused events. The decision to use cell phone alerts instead likely had fatal consequences, as the electricity had been out for hours when the fires started and cellular reception was down in most of the area. Many residents were only alerted to the danger when they smelled smoke, and with roads blocked by downed power lines, some had no means of escape other than jumping into the ocean.
The wildfire that swept through Hawaii last week is the deadliest to occur in the US in over a century, with at least 106 people confirmed dead and over 1,300 still missing as of Wednesday. The cause of the fire remains unknown, although some have pointed to Hawaiian Electric whose power lines were seen sparking in the strong winds that day. The company has been criticized for focusing too much on “green energy” initiatives and neglecting wildfire prevention measures.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced on Monday that a comprehensive review into the decisions made before and during the fire response will be conducted by the state attorney general. These investigations will likely shed light on the delays in releasing water and the failure to activate the warning sirens.
The tragic consequences of the wildfires have highlighted the need for better emergency response planning and preparedness in Maui. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires, it is crucial that authorities have robust systems in place to ensure the safety and protection of residents. Lessons must be learned from this devastating event to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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