More than 100 people have died in the devastating wildfires that swept across the Hawaiian island of Maui, and destruction has been left in the aftermath of the blaze.
While officials have already announced they plan to investigate how the fires consumed much of the island, a group of lawmakers is also requesting a third-party investigation.
Attorney General Anne Lopez announced last week that the Department of the Attorney General would conduct a “comprehensive review of critical decision-making and standing policies leading up to, during, and after the wildfires,” in a press release.
Last week, Maui resident LaPhena Davis told KNX News that it was hard to get information about the evacuation as the fires burned. Although Hawaii has an emergency siren system, she said it didn’t seem to work.
“The fire moved extremely fast,” said Davis. “There were hurricane winds, gusts up to 80 miles an hour. Lahaina itself is completely isolated. They’re limited with their fire department and police department. You know, shortly after about an hour after the fire broke out, we lost all phone communications.”
Winds from Hurricane Dora whipped the flames into a frenzy as people tried to escape.
“Our hope is that that investigation will reveal the causes of this disaster and point to actions that need to be taken to prevent future tragedies,” Democrat Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole said in an email Wednesday about the call for a third-party investigation, according to an NBC News report. It said nine members of the Hawaii Senate planned to join in the request.
A letter from the lawmakers is set to be released by Thursday, said NBC.
As of Wednesday, the response team responding to Maui was growing, according to Gov. Josh Green. He explained that recovery efforts are ongoing, that many survivors are in hotels and more. Green also said that President Joe Biden is expected to visit the island Monday.
Jennifer Hodges of KCBS Radio has been on Maui as well. There she has been talking to survivors and hearing their heartbreaking stories.
“One resident shared with Hodges that efforts have begun to locate the remains of those who perished in the fires, and workers have begun marking vehicles with an orange ‘X,’ which indicates that no body was found inside,” said an Audacy report.
Related
Related
