Maui emergency services chief resigns after criticism for not activating sirens

As the death toll rose to 111 a day earlier, Mr Andaya defended not sounding sirens as flames raged. Hawaii has what it touts as the largest system of outdoor alert sirens in the world

Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator Herman Andaya speaks during a news conference in Hawaii (Mike Householder/ AP)

The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, who has been heavily criticised for not activating disaster sirens during last week’s wildfire response, resigned on Thursday.

Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation of Herman Andaya effective immediately, who resigned for health reasons, the County of Maui announced on Facebook.