Hawaii AG subpoenas 3 Maui agencies over deadly wildfire

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announced Monday that she had subpoenaed three Maui agencies over the deadly Aug. 8 wildfire that swept the historic town of Lahaina.

Lopez issued three subpoenas to agencies — the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County of Maui Department of Public Works, and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply — that have faced scrutiny for their response to the fires that killed at least 97 people.

“We appreciate the cooperation of the Maui fire and police departments, and while we continue to work through some issues, their leaders and line responders have been transparent and cooperative,” the attorney general said in the release.

Lopez said Monday that her “office continues to aggressively push the first phase of the independent investigation into the Maui wildfires forward.”

The Fire Safety Research Institute needs more information from the stakeholders in order for the first phase of the investigation to be completed, according to Lopez’s press release.

Phase one will provide a scientific analysis on how the fire unfolded and until that happens the investigation can’t move forward, Lopez said.

The catastrophic wildfire was the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. It damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It’s estimated that the rebuilding process could cost upward of $5 billion.

Maui authorities previously released audio recordings from 911 calls during the wildfires after The Associated Press filed a public records request. The calls showed how difficult it was for dispatchers and officials to respond to the chaos as the fire quickly spread across the historic tourist town.

Lopez said the investigation is intended to “find the facts and develop new policies and procedures” to save lives and property in the future.

The Hill has reached out to the attorney general’s office for more information.

According to NBC News, which obtained copies of the subpoenas, the attorney general has concerns over the Department of Water Supply’s possible pressure loss in the water system as the fires spread.

A spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that there is no current criminal investigation.

Lopez announced in August that her office would be launching the independent investigation into the response to the fire to ensure accountability and reassure residents that facts will be uncovered.

“I remain personally invested in representing the truth, ensuring a comprehensive, independent investigation and communicating throughout this process,” her release said. “Our communities expect and deserve a safer Hawaiʻi.”