The report from Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez focuses on the actions of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in response to a devastating wildfire last summer that killed over 100 people and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina. The nearly 400-page report raises concerns about Bissen’s handling of the situation, particularly in terms of declaring a state of emergency and coordinating with state officials. Despite the destruction caused by the fire, Lopez emphasized that the report is not intended to assign blame but to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
On August 8, 2023, as hurricane-force winds fueled wildfires across Maui, several schools closed and the state was preparing an emergency proclamation. Despite the escalating situation, Bissen repeatedly insisted that declaring an emergency was unnecessary. State officials were unable to reach him during the day, and he did not sign the emergency order until 8 p.m., hours after Lahaina had burned down. Bissen admitted to not communicating with Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, during the crisis. The Maui fire not only caused significant loss of life but also destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, resulting in an estimated economic loss of over $5.5 billion.
Former chair of the Hawaii Civil Defense Advisory Council, Sherman Thompson, criticized the government response to the fire, stating that very little was done to prevent such a disaster from occurring. When asked if the response was negligent, Sherman suggested it had crossed the line into negligence. CBS News attempted to contact Bissen’s office for comment, without success. However, Bissen posted a statement on the county website acknowledging the report and the severity of the wildfire disaster. He expressed commitment to helping Lahaina residents return home and begin the healing process following the tragedy.
The investigation into Bissen’s response to the Maui wildfire aims to piece together the events surrounding what has been described as the nation’s worst wildfire disaster in modern history. The report, referred to as Phase One, highlights the need for improved emergency planning and coordination to prevent similar tragedies. Bissen’s statement reflects a commitment to learning from the experience and supporting the affected community in rebuilding and recovery efforts. The report may serve as a valuable resource for other fire-stricken jurisdictions facing similar challenges in managing large-scale wildfires.
CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti, reporting on the aftermath of the Maui wildfire and the Attorney General’s investigation into Mayor Bissen’s response, provides additional insight into the impact of the disaster. The massive loss of life, homes, and businesses in Lahaina underscores the need for effective emergency management and communication strategies in the face of natural disasters. Moving forward, the lessons learned from the Maui wildfire can inform future disaster response efforts and help communities prepare for and mitigate the effects of wildfires and other catastrophic events.
