Letters to the Editor

Will never be accurate accounting of disaster

I read the mayors recent speech about the state of the county. There was one thing noticeably missing from this emotional love fest: Who is responsible for this preventable tragedy?

Anyone who can still think knows it was gross incompetence and mismanagement on the part of the Maui government.

The threat from brush and dry grasses above Lahaina had been known for years and yet nothing was done. The electrical infrastructure was a known threat. Who strings bare electrical wire on aging telephone poles above dry highly flammable grasses?

The lack of adequate firefighting infrastructure and personnel was known. The lack of a clear quick way to divert water to Lahaina in the event of an emergency was known.

Then there is the not activating the emergency warning system to give people some advanced warning.

We have been testing this warning system for years only to not use it when it was most needed.

And of course, there is the authorities blocking off escape routes so people could not get out.

Incredible incompetence and mismanagement at all levels of government.

Now, what is most interesting is that the people who brought us this disaster will never be blamed and will probably be voted back into office during the next election cycle.

There will never be an accurate accounting of this disaster since the government who did it is responsible for the after-tragedy report.

James Dorr

Kihei