The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency resigned abruptly on Thursday, as officials come under increased scrutiny over the response to the devastating wildfires.
The resignation of Herman Andaya comes a day after he defended his decision of not using outdoor alert sirens during the wildfires that devastated the historic seaside community of Lahaina and have killed at least 111 people so far.
Mr Andaya cited unspecified health reasons, with no further details provided in his letter.
“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,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in the statement.
Meanwhile, search efforts are underway, as residents of Maui are reporting that investors and realtors are trying to capitalise on the wildfires to purchase land from locals.
“We’re not going to allow it,” Governor Josh Green said.
The Hawaii governor said he expects re-building the burned area of Maui to cost $5 billion or more. Already, federal, state and local relief aid has been directed toward Maui.