Deadly wildfires have devastated entire islands, burning historic landmarks and displacing thousands of people in Hawaii.
U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii plays the pathos card, "I will not make any excuses for this tragedy." "But the attorney general has reviewed what happened with these sirens and a number of other actions taken."
There will be some time for such reviews and investigations, but she is now focused on the need for rescue.
The entire historic town of Lahaina burned down, "We saw a group of cars by the sea, it is clear that the passengers of these cars may have escaped into the ocean, and I was told that at least 12 people were rescued from the ocean in that place."
She said. "I visited a house where about 400 residents slept in shelters and we needed to provide them with short- and long-term housing.
As Maui recovers from the deadly wildfires, Hawaii has received help from around the world, with some residents saying the biggest need is the ability to bring in some makeshift tents.
Hawaiian officials stressed at a news conference that the island is not closed to tourists and that commercial flights to Maui are not affected.