Question: The investigations into the missile scare found serious problems with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. So I have two questions. First, is anybody looking into all the operations over there, not just what happened in this missile mistake? This whole thing makes me wonder whether they are ready to respond to any kind of a disaster, like a hurricane or something that is more likely to happen than a ballistic missile. Also, where can I read the reports that have come out so far? I mean the full report, not just the news summary.
Answer: Yes, a comprehensive review of Hawaii’s emergency management enterprise is underway, ordered by Gov. David Ige two days after the false missile alert, which occurred Jan. 13. Hawaii National Guard Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, the state’s deputy adjutant general, is conducting the review, which is intended to bolster the agency’s response to any type of disaster, natural or man-made.
Hara is expected to present an initial report by Feb. 15, the governor said Tuesday. A full report is due by mid-March. Ige’s executive order lays out the scope of Hara’s review, which includes:
>> Facilitating efforts to identify capability and resource gaps and develop an action plan that prioritizes resources appropriately.
>> Identifying actions to strengthen and expand government, private and public partnerships “for preparedness for all hazards.”
>> Revising emergency notification procedures to ensure immediate notification, confirmation or cancellation of threats.
>> Strengthening information sharing, collaboration and communication.
>> Improving public education to help the public know what to do when an alert goes out.
Some of those capability and resource gaps have already been identified by state and federal investigations specifically into the false missile alert, the results of which were announced this week.
As you noted, those separate investigations revealed serious flaws in HI-EMA’s planning and operations, which resulted in the statewide transmission of the false missile alert and a delay in retracting it. The state’s review and the preliminary report by the Federal Communications Commission blamed human error, poor planning, lack of oversight, flawed technology and other factors for the Jan. 13 incident.
The state report makes 23 recommendations to prevent similar problems in the future. The FCC’s preliminary report is limited to explaining what happened and why; it is to include recommendations in its final report.
You can read the 13-page report of the state’s investigation at bit.ly/statemr. As of Friday, you’ll also be able to borrow a hard copy at any of Hawaii’s public libraries, said Jodi Leong, a spokeswoman for the governor. Your inquiry prompted the governor’s office to arrange for the Hawaii State Library System to make hard copies available.
You must have a library card to borrow a copy of the report or to use a library computer system to access it or the FCC preliminary report online.
Find an easy-to-read, nine-page narrative summation of the FCC’s preliminary findings at 808ne.ws/MRfcc. Additional information related to the FCC report is at 808ne.ws/fcclinks.
Mahalo
I wish to extend a heartfelt mahalo to the wonderful young woman in line at the Kaneohe Satellite City Hall. I was standing in the long line, leaning on my cane and contemplating whether or not I should leave, only to face another day of long lines. This woman offered to hold my place in line and told me to sit on the bench. Her kindness was most appreciated. — A truly grateful senior
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