Report Raises Concerns About Maui County Mayor's Response to Devastating Wildfire

A comprehensive investigative report led by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez has revealed critical concerns regarding the actions of Maui County mayor during the catastrophic wildfire that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina last summer, claiming over 100 lives.

The nearly 400-page report, made public on Wednesday. April 17, has brought to light alarming questions about the response of Mayor Richard Bissen to the devastating blazes. Throughout the day of the incident on August 8, 2023, despite hurricane-force winds fueling the fires and the closure of several schools, Mayor Bissen repeatedly dismissed the necessity of declaring an emergency. State officials' attempts to reach him went unanswered, and it was only at 8 p.m. that night, hours after Lahaina was engulfed, that he finally signed the emergency order.

Mayor Bissen had also admitted to not contacting Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, during the crisis. His response to questions about the communication responsibility raised further apprehensions.

Devastation and Economic Impact

The wildfire not only claimed numerous lives but also laid waste to thousands of homes and businesses, resulting in a staggering estimated economic loss of over $5.5 billion. Sherman Thompson, former chair of the Hawaii Civil Defense Advisory Council, expressed dissatisfaction with the preventative measures, remarking, "Very little was done to prevent something like this from happening."

Addressing the public, Attorney General Anne Lopez stressed the significance of the report, emphasizing the need to avoid such tragic events in the future. "This is about never letting this happen again," she emphasized during a news conference, clarifying that the report was not intended to assign blame but to ensure improved preparedness and response in similar situations.