Maui’s top emergency official is out after failing to sound sirens as fires approached

Maui’s top emergency management official resigned Thursday, one day after he defended his decision not to sound warning sirens as wildfires swept across the island.

The resignation of Herman Andaya, the administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, was effective immediately, a county spokesperson said.

Andaya, citing health reasons, submitted his resignation “effective immediately,” and Mayor Richard Bissen accepted, Maui County said in a statement Thursday.

“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 and…