Maui emergency chief resigns after criticism for deadly wildfire response; Hawaii AG to use third-party investigator

LAHAINA, Hawaii − Maui's top emergency management official resigned Thursday, a day after he defended his decision not to sound warning sirens as the wildfires tore through the island, killing more than 100 people and leading to harsh criticism of his actions.

Herman Andaya, the embattled administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, stepped down citing health reasons, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced on the county's Facebook page.

"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," Bissen said.

When the Maui wildfires broke out on Aug. 8, residents said they were given little to no time to evacuate as none of the island's warning sirens, among the world's largest outdoor siren warning systems, sounded off. Many residents said the power had been out in the area since early that morning.

Andaya said Wednesday he decided not to sound the sirens, fearing residents would have fled inland, toward the flames.

"The public is trained to seek higher ground in the event that the siren is sounded," he said, noting that sirens are mostly used for tsunamis and other disasters.

As death toll in Maui fire rises,here's how it compares to the deadliest fires in the US

Developing:

∎The death toll had risen to at least 111 as of Wednesday, and authorities say it will continue rising.

∎FEMA has almost 500 people on the ground aiding the recovery, Green said. The Red Cross has 270 and there is a "formidable" military presence to protect against looting or violence, he said.

∎Students were asked to wear red on the first day of school across much of Hawaii in solidarity with Lahaina students, many of whom reported to other schools due to damage at local buildings.

Family of 4. Beloved sister.Family of 4. Beloved sister. Uncle whose 'smile stood out': Some of the lives lost in Maui wildfires

Hawaii AG to use third-party investigator to probe wildfire response

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said Thursday her office will launch an independent investigation into the state’s response to the deadly wildfires.

"This will be an impartial, independent review," Lopez said in a statement. The prosecutor said having a third-party probe to look into state officials' actions to last week's wildfires that have killed at least 111 people, one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history, will "ensure accountability and transparency and reassure the people of Hawaii that all of the facts will be uncovered."

The move to use an outside investigator comes as questions linger about whether state and local emergency management officials did enough to warn residents as the wildfires quickly tore through West Maui. The blazes torched the historic town of Lahaina, leaving the once capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in ruins.

Locals are questioning why residents were not given proper notice via sirens or other notifications. The review will be a months-long effort, Lopez's office said.

"We will be taking the necessary time to follow the facts wherever they lead," Lopez added.

On Wednesday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said the probe is not a criminal investigation.

"Right now we are working to find out how we can make sure it’s safe as we go through hurricane season, as we deal with the reality that there will be fires month in and month out for the decades to come," Green said.

Gov. Green pledges to ban 'predatory' land grabs

Green doubled down on his vow to protect residents from predatory land grabs late Wednesday, urging outsiders not to make offers for burned-out homes and saying his attorney general is working to set up a moratorium on land transactions. He urged developers not to approach homeowners or their families with offers to buy, adding that it will be a "significant amount of time" before construction can begin.

"My intention from start to finish is to make sure that no one is victimized from a land grab," Green said. "There are some legal challenges there, we are going to push right through those and make sure people don't lose their land."

Green's pledge works for John Dimuro, a 40-year island resident who said locals don't want big companies or wealthy people buying up land and developing it.

"The government should just say 'No, you're not allowed to develop,'" he said. "Say no, just flat-out no."

The search for human remains: 'This is unprecedented'

More than a week after the fire raced through the city, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said the painstaking search for remains is slowly continuing. Authorities have set up a MINT - morgue identification and notification task force − with local and federal agencies "so we can do these investigations ... and make notifications with dignity and honor," Pelletier said.

"This is unprecedented," he said. "No one has ever seen this that is alive today. Not this size, not this number not this volume and were not done. And so we ask for your continued prayers. We really need them."

'Mr. Aloha', free-spirited woman among victims

The stories behind the lives lost to the Maui wildfires are beginning to emerge. Buddy Jantoc, 79, was a beloved, local musician who was known for his warmth and generosity, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported. Nicknamed "Mr. Aloha," his family said Jantoc had toured the world when he was younger and loved playing bass guitar.

Carole Hartley was going to celebrate her 61st birthday on August 28. "She kept telling me ... one more year sister, and I’m retiring," her sister Donna remembers. She said her little sister was a free-spirited individual who had lived in Lahaina for 36 years. Read more here.