Honolulu, August 18 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of Hawaii, the head of Maui’s Emergency Management Agency resigned, citing health reasons, one week after the deadly wildfires started and one day after Herman Andaya defended not sounding sirens to warn people as the flames engulfed thousands of homes and businesses. 

Officials have now identified six victims as the death toll of 111 is expected to rise over the coming days.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over “climate gentrification” in the tragedy’s wake.  Many Native Hawaiians had already been priced out of their land due to a swelling housing crisis, with Hawaii ranking as the most expensive state to rent or own a home in the U.S. 

Hawaiians and residents of Hawaii have reported receiving predatory calls from developers seeking to buy their property.