New Official to Lead Emergency System After Missile Alert

Gov. David Ige has appointed a new head of Hawaii’s emergency management agency after a faulty alert was sent to cellphones around the state warning of an incoming missile attack.

Ige appointed state Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara on Monday to run and review the emergency system.

Ige said Hara will lead an effort to better educate and prepare the public, stressing that children seeking shelter in manholes, stores closing their doors and panicked residents driving erratically cannot happen again.

The governor says he expects a full report from Hara in two months.

Some changes have already been made, including requiring two people to approve any emergency alert.

Officials said a state employee clicked on the wrong link and activated a real alert instead of an internal test.

There was no system in place for retracting the false alarm.