Maui Wildfires: Officials Sue Cell Carriers for Failing to Send Alerts During Deadly Lahaina Fire

By Madz Dizon

May 03, 2024 03:01 AM EDT

Maui Wildfires: Officials Sue Cell Carriers for Failing to Send Alerts During Deadly Lahaina Fire — Fire damage is pictures as US President Joe Biden (out of frame) visits to an area devastated by wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21, 2023. The Bidens are expected to meet with first responders, survivors, and local officials following deadly wildfires in Maui.
(Photo : MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Maui County is suing major cell carriers for failing to notify police about extensive service interruptions at the peak of last summer's deadly wildfire.

According to the lawsuit, the county was unaware that the alerts it sends to cell phones advising residents to leave immediately were never received.

Maui Officials Blame Cell Carrers Over Lack of Notice

According to ABC News, Maui officials ignored to activate sirens, which would have notified the whole community of the impending fire. This has sparked concerns about whether everything was done to inform the public in a state with an advanced emergency warning system for a wide range of threats such as wars, volcanoes, storms, and wildfires.

Major cell carriers were negligent in failing to notify Maui police of extensive service failures, according to county authorities in a complaint filed Wednesday in state court against Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Spectrum Mobile, and AT&T.

Since the worst wildfire in the United States in almost a century burned through the historic city of Lahaina, killing 101 people, a stream of lawsuits has been filed.

Lahaina Wildifre

Maui County is facing legal action due to its emergency response during the fires. The county has also filed a lawsuit against the Hawaiian Electric Company, alleging that the utility failed to take necessary precautions in shutting off power during a period of strong winds and dry weather.

In the recent legal action in Maui, the county's lawyers argue that if the county is held responsible for any damages, it is because the cell carriers' actions have significantly contributed to these damages.

"During the intense fires on August 8 and August 9, 2023, the County's brave first responders fought tirelessly to combat the flames and ensure the safety of the island's residents. In their efforts to keep people informed and out of harm's way, the County issued multiple alerts and warnings, even sending direct text messages to individual cell phones," stated the lawsuit, as per Click2Houston.

According to the lawsuit, the county issued a minimum of 14 alert messages to cellphones, urging residents to evacuate. All 21 cell towers serving West Maui, including in Lahaina, experienced a complete failure, as later discovered by the county.