Herman Andaya Biography: Wiki, Parent, Age, Salary, Ethnicity
Herman Andaya Biography: The Man Behind Maui's Wildfire Controversy
Herman Andaya was the head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) until he resigned on August 18, 2023, amid criticism over his handling of the deadly wildfire that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina and killed at least 111 people. Who is Herman Andaya and what led to his controversial decision not to sound the emergency sirens during the fire? Here is a brief biography of the man who became the centre of public outrage and scrutiny.
Herman Andaya Basic Biography/Wiki
| Name | Herman Andaya |
| Profession | Former Chief of Maui Emergency Management Agency |
| Date Of Birth | 1974 |
| Age | 51 Years (2023) |
| Birth Place | Maui, Hawaii, USA |
| Current Resident | Maui, Hawaii, USA |
| School | H.P. Baldwin High School |
| University | University of Hawaii |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Language | English |
| Citizenship | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | |
| Height | 5 Feet 9 Inches |
| Weight | 67 Kg |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Zodiac | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Marital status | Married |
| Wife | Lica |
| Click Here | |
| Networth | $ 100 k (approx) |
Early Life and Education
Herman Andaya was born and raised in Hawaii. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools, a private school system for Native Hawaiians, in 1987. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1991 and a law degree in 1994. He passed the Hawaii bar exam in 1995 and became a licensed attorney.
Career and Experience
Herman Andaya began his career as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Maui from 1995 to 2000. He then worked as a deputy corporation counsel for the County of Maui from 2000 to 2011, providing legal advice and representation to various county departments and agencies.
In 2011, he joined the administration of then-mayor Alan Arakawa as his chief of staff. In this role, he assisted the mayor in overseeing the operations of the county government and coordinating with other agencies and stakeholders. He also participated in online FEMA pieces of training and workshops on emergency management throughout the years.
In 2017, he was appointed as the administrator of MEMA, beating out 40 other applicants for the job. According to a press release from the County of Maui, he was selected by an independent panel of government officials based on his qualifications, experience, and leadership skills. As the head of MEMA, he was responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities for the county.
Wildfire Response and Resignation
On August 8, 2023, a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Lahaina, fueled by strong winds from nearby Hurricane Dora. The fire quickly spread across the town, destroying more than 1,700 buildings and trapping many residents and visitors who had no power or cell service. The fire was later declared as the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century.
Herman Andaya was not on the island when the fire started. He was attending a conference on Oahu and returned to Maui on August 9. He did not make any public appearances or statements until August 16, when he defended his agency’s decision not to activate the emergency sirens during the fire.
He said that the sirens were mainly used for tsunamis and that he feared they would have sent some people running to higher ground, potentially into the path of the blaze. He also said that there were no sirens in the mountains, where the fire was spreading downhill. He added that he had no regrets about his decision and that sounding the sirens “would not have saved those people.”
His explanation was met with disbelief and anger by many survivors, residents, officials, and experts who said that the sirens could have provided a crucial warning of the approaching danger and that they were designed for various types of emergencies, including fires. They also questioned his qualifications and experience in emergency management and accused him of negligence and incompetence.
On August 18, Herman Andaya resigned from his position as MEMA administrator, citing health reasons. He submitted his resignation to Mayor Richard Bissen, who accepted it effective immediately. Bissen said that he would appoint someone else to fill the key position as soon as possible.
Net worth / Salary
His source of income came from his salary as chief of Maui’s emergency management service department. His net worth is $ 100K.
FAQs
Why did Herman Andaya not sound the sirens?
Herman Andaya said that he did not sound the sirens because they were mainly used for tsunamis and that he feared they would have caused confusion and panic among the public. He also said that there were no sirens in the mountains, where the fire was spreading downhill.
What is Herman Andaya doing now?
Herman Andaya has not made any public statements or appearances since his resignation. It is not clear what he is doing now or what his plans are for the future.
Is Herman Andaya under investigation?
There have been calls online for Herman Andaya to be placed under investigation or even prosecuted for his decision not to sound the sirens. However, there has been no official announcement or confirmation of any investigation or legal action against him as of now.
How did Herman Andaya become the MEMA administrator?
Herman Andaya became MEMA administrator in 2017 after being selected by an independent panel of government officials from a pool of 40 applicants. He had previously served as chief of staff to then-mayor Alan Arakawa and had participated in online FEMA training and workshops on emergency management.
