Hawaiian business owners say gov't dropped the ball on Maui wildfires
4 Min Read
The official death toll of the Maui wildfires has reached 114, with more than 1,000 people missing.
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Crosses honoring victims killed in a recent wildfire are posted along the Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP)
In an interview with Sputnik, Hawaiian business proprietors strongly criticized the authorities' handling of the devastating wildfires that have swept across the island of Maui, particularly their deliberate choice not to activate warning sirens.
The wildfires, which ignited on August 8, were exacerbated by dry, hot conditions and intensified by the powerful winds generated by Hurricane Dora. The fires ravaged multiple settlements, including the well-known tourist hub of Lahaina, prompting road closures and suspension of public transportation. The official death toll currently stands at 114, with over 1,000 individuals reported missing.
Recently, US President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Hawaii, facilitating additional federal resources to aid in combating the wildfires.
Government negligence
In the aftermath of the Maui tragedy, Herman Andaya, who was then in charge of the county's emergency management agency (and has since resigned), received backlash for defending the decision not to activate the siren warning system.
He justified this stance by asserting that the system was primarily intended for tsunamis and that people would naturally seek higher ground. However, the county's website clearly states that the system "can be used for a variety of both natural and human-caused events; including tsunamis, hurricanes, dam breaches, flooding, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, terrorist threats, hazardous material incidents, and more."
Michael Dougan, the owner of the Yonegan Pro-Diver dive shop, expressed bewilderment over the decision not to sound warning sirens, regardless of their intended use for tsunamis. He noted that sirens are attention-grabbing and could awaken people from sleep, allowing them to use their judgment to safeguard their lives. He found it illogical not to activate the warnings for the evacuation of Lahaina.
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Nathon Holder, proprietor of the VigiLatte Artisan Coffee shop, concurred with this sentiment and criticized the state's lack of preparedness for the wildfires. He argued that Andaya's decision resulted in numerous lives being lost unnecessarily.
Donald Moriarty, owner of the Doner Shack eatery in Honolulu, shared this perspective and labeled the decision not to activate sirens as unforgivable. He believed that victims' families and rational individuals would not accept such a justification from the state.
How did the government respond?
Regarding the authorities' response to the natural catastrophe, the business owners offered differing viewpoints.
Nathon Holder criticized the federal response as inadequate, describing it as laughable. He asserted that there was minimal federal aid on the ground to effectively assist those in need, highlighting that FEMA and the Red Cross were merely operating donation sites for redistributing essential supplies to the public.
On the contrary, Michael Dougan praised FEMA for its swift reaction to the incident, describing their response as extraordinary. He acknowledged their rapid response within 24 hours and commended their efforts to the best of their capacity.
Read next: Wildfires in Maui destroyed cultural heritage sites
However, Dougan criticized the state government's approach of discouraging travel to areas of Maui unaffected by the wildfires. He argued that the government's decision to shut down the entire island due to the impact on Lahaina's economy was inappropriate.
He contended that such a move resulted in a significant loss of tourism, which constituted a substantial portion of the economic engine. Dougan also refuted the reasoning offered by officials that this would free up housing for evacuees and first responders.
Despite the challenges, Moriarty noted that the people of Hawaii displayed impressive solidarity and generosity in the face of the tragedy. He observed that locals exhibited the true spirit of "Aloha," demonstrating quick and generous responses, contrasting this with what he perceived as lackluster government efforts.
