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The chief of the Maui Emergency Management Agency resigned on Thursday, effective immediately, a day after he defended the decision not to sound the island’s alert sirens as wildfires ripped through the town of Lahaina.
In a news release, the mayor’s office said that Herman Andaya had resigned from his post due to “health reasons.” No further details on his health were shared.
“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,” said Mayor Richard Bissen, “and I look forward to making that announcement soon.”