Hawaii fires: Questions remain

Hawaiian Electric Industries has come under scrutiny over whether its power equipment played any role in setting off the fires, the cause of which hasn't been pinpointed.

The utility on Monday defended its decision to keep power flowing, even though Maui was buffeted last week by powerful winds fanned by a distant hurricane, raising the risk of downed lines.

Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said there is no program in place to shut off electricity. Shutting power would have created problems for residents who rely on medical equipment, she said. Electricity also powers pumps that provide water in Lahaina.

Some state officials said there is not enough water for firefighters in central Maui and blamed a recent ruling by an environmental judge. The ruling by Judge Jeffrey Crabtree did not directly affect water supplies to Lahaina, the attorney general's office said Monday.

Hawaii officials also have vowed to review the state's emergency notification systems, after Lahaina residents said they received little or no advance warning before the fire engulfed their homes.

The American Red Cross had received more than 2,500 calls from people trying to find and reunite with missing relatives and friends, and about 800 of those have been resolved, said Chris Young, senior director for operations and readiness.

Some of the displaced have grown frustrated with the pace of the government response.

Kanamu Balinbin, a local football coach, set up a relief camp where people who lost their homes and belongings could find water and food.

"I was devastated. I consider myself a strong leader, but it broke me," Balinbin said. "This is what keeps me going, helping people. A lot of us are at that stage."

He said some of the local frustration stemmed from the longstanding perception that Maui does not receive enough attention from the state government despite its tourism revenues.