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As devastating footage of wildfires in Hawaii keeps pouring in, many are wondering why the island’s emergency response system was not raised as the blaze began. Where were the sirens?

The head of Maui’s emergency management agency, Herman Andaya, has now resigned just a day after defending his agency’s decision not to activate its alarm system during the natural disaster. Suffice to say, Hawaii residents are furious – and rightly so.

Herman Andaya, who had no prior experience in emergency management, cited “health reasons” as the reason for stepping down. As of today, only 40% of the destroyed area has been searched, and Andaya has left in what some are calling ‘cowardly’ haste.

Maui’s residents who believe that a swifter and more comprehensive emergency response could have averted some of the disaster’s grim toll. The wildfire has claimed the lives of at least 111 people, with hundreds still missing.

Maui’s emergency alert system, consisting of 80 sirens positioned across the island, is designed to be a lifeline during times of crisis. Yet, on the day of the fire: silence.

Andaya defended his decision not to use the emergency alert system on Wednesday, asserting that he did not regret it. He explained that the sirens, usually associated with tsunami warnings, might have led individuals in Lahaina to flee to higher ground, inadvertently placing them in the path of the rapidly advancing blaze.

But residents of Lahaina, where the fire caused the majority of the destruction, expressed their dissatisfaction and anger with this explanation.

Sherlyn Pedroza, a resident who tragically lost her family home in the fire is not convinced by Andaya’s excuses:

“The sirens should have been sounded. It would have alerted at least some people stuck at their house – work was off, school was off – it would have alerted them to get out.”

What’s the point of having the system if it’s not used for a moment like this?

In the wake of the tragedy, Maui’s residents are grappling with the immense loss and the rebuilding process. While questions remain about the timeline for recovery and reconstruction, the resolute spirit of the community remains unbroken, Pedroza included.

“This is all I’ve ever known, this is my home. Nobody’s selling. We want Lahaina back, and we’re going to get it.”

In spite of the terrible disaster, Hawaii’s citizens remain hopeful that they can rebuild their beautiful Lahaina back up to its full glory.

And Andaya? Maybe it’s a case of ‘good riddance’ when it comes to his suspiciously-timed resignation.

[source:bbcnews]