First, Mr. Manuel is not an “Obama appointee” but rather participated in a leadership development program run by the Obama Foundation in 2019.
Noting high winds and drought, the company requested permission to fill a private reservoir for fire control, though the reservoir was not connected to fire hydrants.
The water agency asked the company whether the fire department had made the request, received no answer and said that it needed the approval of a farmer who relied on the water for his crops.
The company said that it could not reach the farmer, but that the agency approved the request hours later.
The executive, in another letter, also wrote that “we would never imply responsibility” on Mr. Manuel’s part.
Persons:
Manuel, Obama, ”, Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy’s
Organizations:
Obama Foundation, Mr, Maui Land Company, The New York Times
Locations:
Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, The