Maui County appoints interim emergency chief after tragic Lahaina wildfire.
Maui Officials Appoint Darryl Oliveira as Interim Administrator of MEMA
In the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfire in early August, Maui officials have brought in Darryl Oliveira to lead the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) on an interim basis.
Oliveira, who previously served as the head of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency (HCCDA), steps in for Herman Andaya, who recently resigned due to health reasons.
“We are honored to have Darryl Oliveira step forward to serve Maui County’s community in this unprecedented disaster,” said Mayor Richard Bissen.
Related Stories
- Many Say They’re Safe After Maui Releases 388 Names of Missing People From Wildfires (8/26/2023)
- Guard Troops Sent to Site of Hawaii Lava Flow (10/30/2014)
“His locally-led response amid storms, fires, flooding, and lava events, along with his pulse on the Neighbor Island community, demonstrate invaluable experience and skill during challenging times,” added Mayor Bissen.
As of August 28, Oliveira has taken charge of MEMA’s emergency preparedness and response efforts, including the ongoing response to the West Maui wildfire disaster.
He will be based at the Maui County Emergency Operations Center for the duration of his assignment.
Oliveira brings over 30 years of experience in the Hawaii Fire Department, including nine years as department chief and three years as HCCDA administrator.
Reflecting on his recent visit to Lahaina, Oliveira expressed his shock at the magnitude and impact of the disaster, stating, “Looking back at past operations, the community has really stepped up out there to take care of themselves.”
“It’s not just the affected communities; the surrounding communities are coming together as well. I think that’s the strength we have in the islands with people coming together,” he added.
During his tenure as HCCDA administrator, Oliveira oversaw the county’s efforts in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, including tropical storms and the 2014 Pahoa lava flow.
In addition to his role at MEMA, Oliveira also works as a consultant with Community Safety Innovations and serves as an instructor and lecturer at Hawaii Community College.
His predecessor, Mr. Andaya, resigned on August 17 amidst public criticism of his handling of the Lahaina wildfire response and his decision not to activate the all-hazard sirens used in emergencies.
While some residents believe the sirens could have saved lives, Andaya argued that they would have caused more confusion and panic during the evacuation process.
According to Honolulu Civil Beat, Andaya did not have formal education in disaster management when he assumed the administrator position in 2017. However, he had experience assisting during emergency operations and had completed online FEMA courses and workshops.
The news agency also reported that Andaya was the top choice among 40 other applicants for the job.
The Lahaina fire, which began on August 8, caused significant damage and loss in the area.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...