Maui Police share 98-page report on Lahaina wildfire response, offer 32 suggestions
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
1:00 PM – Tuesday, February 6, 2024
A comprehensive preliminary report spanning 98 pages was made public by the Maui Police Department (MPD), detailing their reaction to one of the worst wildfires to ever strike the country.
Approximately six months after the severe wildfires that occurred in the coastal town of Lahaina, the MPD released an after-action investigation report detailing the cause of the fires and “32 [additional] recommendations.”
On Monday during a news conference, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier revealed the report and began the meeting with a moment of silence to remember victims who died in the August 8th, 2023, wildfires.
“Just last week, we were able to bring closure to the last family. That has never happened before. At two months out, we had all but one person identified,” said Chief Pelletier, giving credit to investigators, doctors and forensic experts from around the globe that were embedded in the industry.
“The work that was done by the Maui Police Department, by the other first responders, and by the by the members of this community is the tip of the spear, it is unprecedented, and it is best practices,” Pelletier added.
There are three remaining victims who are currently reported as “unaccounted for” from the August 8th wildfires. Their names are Robert H. Owens, Elmer Lee Stevens, and Paul Kasprysycki.
“The investigations remain open and any new leads or information that is brought to us, we will pursue,” explained Officer Brad Taylor. “Since the investigation, we have reached out to the family members, searched for eyewitness accounts of where they might have been, and then we looked at a map and with what we knew about their mobility, we created strategies of where they might have escaped to, and then we sent anthropological teams to go to those estimated escape routes.”
The “winds that ignited the fires” caused a cascade of chaos for the police, according to the police department, which concluded that the flames were caused by “severe weather.”
The dry vegetation and strong winds reportedly prompted the fires to spread quickly throughout the island.
According to the report, as the fires spread, its destructive power created black smoke that hindered multiple evacuations and disrupted power lines which made communication almost impossible.
An intense search for victims that went all the way to the coast’s ocean added to the tragedy. The fire’s emergency response was impacted by extreme conditions and widespread confusion, as reported by the officers’ accounts in the report and the body camera footage.
The MPD report included 32 recommendations for how the department could respond more effectively in the event of a similar emergency or natural disaster in the future. Some of the recommendations included “enhancing communication between responding officers” and other emergency personnel, as well as implementing “stronger equipment.”
“In policing, we respond to dynamic and evolving situations,” Pelletier said in the report. “We cannot control the incidents we respond to; we can, however, control our responses in the aftermath.”
“During the hours of August 8th, 2023, Maui became the stage for the most tragic natural disaster in state history and the deadliest fire in modern American history,” Pelletier said. “In the days and months since this incident, the Maui Police Department has worked uncompromisingly to detail our response.”
The majority of the report’s recommendations called for more advanced equipment and technology, such as providing radio earpieces for police so that they could hear more clearly. It also noted outfitting each supervisory police car with a breaching kit in order for debris to be removed.
The report, which was examined by two outside law enforcement organizations, will be made available to law enforcement organizations nationwide as a tool for disaster planning and response. At the press conference, Pelletier stated that the report would be fully completed in “six to twelve months.”
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What were the primary causes of the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii in August 2023, according to the comprehensive preliminary report released by the Maui Police Department?
Nformed with One America News as we bring you updates on the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii in August 2023. The Maui Police Department (MPD) has recently released a comprehensive preliminary report detailing their reaction and response to this tragic event.
The report, spanning 98 pages, sheds light on the cause of the wildfires and provides 32 additional recommendations for future disaster planning and response. It was made public by the MPD to ensure transparency and accountability.
During a news conference on Monday, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier presented the report and commenced the meeting with a moment of silence to remember the victims who lost their lives in the wildfires. Chief Pelletier commended the investigators, doctors, and forensic experts from around the world who collaborated on this investigation. He expressed his gratitude for their dedicated work, which led to the identification of all but one victim within two months, an unprecedented achievement.
Chief Pelletier emphasized that the efforts of the MPD, first responders, and the community were both extraordinary and exemplary. He acknowledged their hard work and dedication in combating the wildfires and dealing with the aftermath.
Despite significant progress, three victims, Robert H. Owens, Elmer Lee Stevens, and Paul Kasprysycki, still remain unaccounted for. Officer Brad Taylor assured that the investigation remains open, and the MPD will continue to pursue any new leads or information that may arise.
According to the report, the wildfires were ignited by severe weather conditions, specifically strong winds and dry vegetation. This combination led to the rapid spread of the fires throughout the island. As the flames engulfed the area, black smoke hindered evacuation efforts and disrupted communication, causing additional challenges for emergency response teams.
In light of these challenges, the MPD’s report includes 32 recommendations for more effective responses in similar emergencies or natural disasters in the future. These recommendations focus on enhancing communication between responding officers and other emergency personnel, as well as implementing stronger equipment. Chief Pelletier emphasized the importance of controlling responses in the aftermath of such incidents, even though the incidents themselves may be uncontrollable.
The report also highlights the need for advanced equipment and technology. Some of the recommendations include providing police officers with radio earpieces to improve communication clarity and outfitting each supervisory police car with a breaching kit to remove debris effectively.
The report underwent examination by two outside law enforcement organizations and will be made available to law enforcement agencies nationwide as a valuable tool for disaster planning and response. Chief Pelletier announced that the report would be fully completed within six to twelve months.
As we await the finalization of this report, we must remember the victims and their families who continue to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy. The MPD’s dedication to learning from this experience and implementing necessary changes serves as a testament to their commitment to protecting the community.
One America News will continue to provide updates on the progress made following the Lahaina wildfires as we strive to keep you informed.
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