The meticulous search for human remains is the most important action right now says Brig. Gen. Stephen Logan, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 5-0, which is coordinating the Defense Department’s response.
“We want to be able to treat them in a dignified manner and give some closure to the families,” Logan told reporters on a call Friday afternoon.
President Biden is scheduled to visit the island Monday after he was assured by officials on the ground that his presence would not hamper the recovery efforts.
"For generations Lahaina's beauty culture and rich history drew artists, musicians and visitors from around the world," said Gov. Josh Green's wife, Jaime Kanani Green, fighting back tears. "Tragically, it took less than a single day for us to lose Lahaina in the deadliest fire our country has seen in more than a century," said Jaime Green, whose mother is Native Hawaiian.
"Far more devastating than any material loss, is the loss of precious lives," the governor said. "Of mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons and daughters.
“We were afraid that people would have gone 'mauka,'” Andaya said, using the Hawaiian directional term that can mean toward the mountains or inland. “If that was the case then they would have gone into the fire.”
The President continues to marshal a whole-of-government response to the deadly Maui fires, and he has committed to delivering everything that the people of Hawaii need from the federal government as they recover from this disaster.
Over the past week, President Biden has stayed closely in touch with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Hawaii Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, as well as Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who advised that the search and recovery efforts are expected to be at a stage to allow for a visit by Biden and the First Lady slated for Monday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the blog Views From the Edge.
"Far more devastating than any material loss, is the loss of precious lives," the governor said. "Of mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons and daughters.
Before last week's wildfires turned paradise into a deadly inferno, California's Paradise Fire three years ago claimed 85 lives was the deadliest fire.
The search for human remains is a slow process. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has 20 cadaver dogs on the ground as of Aug. 19. The canines have been trained to find corpses have been brought in from the mainland. But the canines can only work in half-hour stretches before they need to take a break. FEMA announced that they might bring in an additional 20 dogs to assist in the search.
Six forensic anthropologists with the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency are assisting in gathering and identifying human remains, the Pentagon said in a statement Friday. The group is experienced in verifying DNA from long-lost service members, many of whom died as long ago as World War II.
The search for human remains is a slow process. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has 20 cadaver dogs on the ground as of Aug. 19. The canines have been trained to find corpses have been brought in from the mainland. But the canines can only work in half-hour stretches before they need to take a break. FEMA announced that they might bring in an additional 20 dogs to assist in the search.
Six forensic anthropologists with the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency are assisting in gathering and identifying human remains, the Pentagon said in a statement Friday. The group is experienced in verifying DNA from long-lost service members, many of whom died as long ago as World War II.
Maui's head of emergency management resigns
Hernan Andaya, head of Maui’s emergency management agency, has resigned, citing health reasons, Maui County said Thursday – a day after he defended not activating the island’s siren system last week.
Earlier in the week, the Filipino American said he made the decision not to using the emergency warning system. In previous emergencies, the sirens were used to warn about tsunamis.
Hernan Andaya, head of Maui’s emergency management agency, has resigned, citing health reasons, Maui County said Thursday – a day after he defended not activating the island’s siren system last week.
Earlier in the week, the Filipino American said he made the decision not to using the emergency warning system. In previous emergencies, the sirens were used to warn about tsunamis.
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SCREEN CAPTURE Hernan Andaya, Maui's director of Emergency Management, resigned his post. |
“We were afraid that people would have gone 'mauka,'” Andaya said, using the Hawaiian directional term that can mean toward the mountains or inland. “If that was the case then they would have gone into the fire.”
His controversial decision caused media and officials to infer that the silent sirens for the high death toll. Despite an onslaught of criticism, Andaya later expressed "no regret" about his decision, a statement that brought even more critical responses.
Maui officials cited health concerns as the reason for Andaya's sudden departure, but could not give any further information on Andaya's health.
Andaya's replacement will be named “as quickly as possible,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in a press conference Thursday.
Andaya's replacement will be named “as quickly as possible,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in a press conference Thursday.
Quick Federal response
As the extent of the fires became known, Gov. Green asked President Biden to declare Maui a disaster area. Within 48 hours of the fires' start, the President announced the declaration making the affected area eligible for federal assistance.
Republicans and their biased media have tried to turn the tragedy into a political talking point by claiming Biden was not doing enough for Maui when in reality, he ordered all Federal resources to add in the rescue and recovery effort.
FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris administration's response to the Maui fires.
FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris administration's response to the Maui fires.
The President continues to marshal a whole-of-government response to the deadly Maui fires, and he has committed to delivering everything that the people of Hawaii need from the federal government as they recover from this disaster.
Over the past week, President Biden has stayed closely in touch with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Hawaii Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, as well as Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who advised that the search and recovery efforts are expected to be at a stage to allow for a visit by Biden and the First Lady slated for Monday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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