Wednesday, January 31, 2018

False missile alert aftermath: employee fired, HI-EMA chief resigns, administration shaken; House speaker not interested in being lieutenant governor; one-way tickets for homeless; Kauai missile test, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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HI-EMA missile presentation in Hilo, December 2017 ©2018 All Hawaii News

News of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency shakeup and release of the Federal Communications Commission’s preliminary findings into Hawaii’s Jan. 13 false missile alert left many wondering Tuesday how much faith people will have in the credibility of the next warning. Star-Advertiser.

When things go wrong in a big way, it is usually the top leadership that takes a beating, which means Gov. David Ige may now be in deep trouble in the wake of the frightening Jan. 13 ballistic missile attack false alarm, according to political observers. Star-Advertiser.

There are concerns over staffing at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency in the aftermath of the resignations of two top officials and the firing of the unnamed worker who set off the Jan. 13 bogus nuclear missile alert. Star-Advertiser.

False Missile Alert Investigation Released: Miyagi Resigns. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tick Tock Of Terror: New Details In Missile Alert Timeline. Associated Press.

HI-EMA’s Miyagi resigns, ‘button pusher’ fired in aftermath of false missile alert. Star-Advertiser.

Employee terminated, HI-EMA head resigns after false missile warning. Hawaii’s emergency management leader has resigned and a state employee who sent an alert falsely warning of an incoming ballistic missile has been fired, officials said Tuesday, after the mistake caused widespread panic earlier this month. KITV.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency worker who triggered panic by sending a false ballistic missile alert to phones across the state on Jan. 13 believed the state was actually under attack, according to a preliminary investigation released today by the Federal Communications Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Man Who Sent Out False Missile Alert Was ‘Source Of Concern’ For A Decade. Civil Beat.

Worker who sent false missile alert had problems but kept job. Associated Press.

Fired employee had previously confused drills. The fired employee had previously confused drills for real events, once for a fire and once for a tsunami. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency management employee had ‘history of confusing drill and real-world events’. KHON2.

In a stunning revelation Tuesday, state investigators said the emergency management employee who sent out the false missile alert to Hawaii phones — triggering 38 minutes of panic until a correction could be sent — believed the threat of an incoming missile was real and had a history of confusing drills with real-world events. Hawaii News Now.

State fires employee who issued false missile alert, Hawaii EMA chief resigns following state probe. Pacific Business News.

FCC Report: Day Shift Warning Officer Believed the Missile Threat Was Real. Maui Now.

Full text: FCC report on false missile alert. All Hawaii News.

Full text: State report on false missile alert. All Hawaii News.

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House Speaker Scott Saiki today announced he is not interested in becoming the state’s next lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Telling The Public A Little Less About What It Pays Its Workers. House Speaker Scott Saiki finds Civil Beat’s salary database too specific when it comes to “legislative employees.” Civil Beat.

Hotel taxes are eyed for 1-way tickets for homeless. House Bill 2012 would set aside up to $2 million a year in transient accommodations tax, or TAT, revenues to fund homeless initiatives in “tourist and resort areas.” Star-Advertiser.

Tearful testimony at the Capitol over Hawaiian language translation bill. A push to provide a Hawaiian language interpreter at court proceedings is gaining momentum at the State Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Medical Aid In Dying: ‘The Political Risk Is Not Passing It’. With polls consistently showing public support for the concept, legislators look to give the issue another go this session. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers and prison advocates raising questions on suicides at Hawaii correctional facilities. KITV.

State disease database hacked. The state Department of Health is investigating a potential breach of private medical information of disease test results. Star-Advertiser.

The mayors of Honolulu, Kauai and Maui today pledged to help make our island state more climate resilient at a key leadership forum presented by Hawaii Energy and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, titled “A Resilient and Renewable Hawaii: How Hawaii’s Mayors are Innovating to Create the Counties of the Future.” Maui Now.

Chick-fil-A is scouting locations for the chain’s first Hawaii restaurant, one of three restaurant chains, along with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Japan’s Yoshinoya, looking to break into the isle market. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

A state judge has ordered the developer of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort to pay homeowners $20 million for the company’s decision to change the main feature of the Ewa community from a marina to a lagoon. Star-Advertiser.

A state judge has ordered developer Haseko to pay homeowners $20 million, in one of the largest consumer protection awards in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

The city is testing its first electric bus during a six-week pilot project for Honolulu's fleet. Hawaii News Now.

The city unveiled its first fully electric bus on Tuesday that will be tested in a six-week pilot project. KITV.

The Hawaii State Department of Health has received a $339,269 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a clean energy project on Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Defense contractor BAE Systems Hawaii has received a $14.2 million modification for a previously awarded contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for repair work of the USS Port Royal, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. Pacific Business News.

Momilani Elementary School has put one of its teachers on leave after learning that two former Punahou students, who are now adults, have accused him of sexually abusing them between 2005 to 2006. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council, county attorney at odds over contingency funds. Tribune-Herald.

Surf school management proposal raises concerns. West Hawaii Today.

The state should return to federal court to seek an amendment to existing orders mandating the eradication of ungulates on Mauna Kea, according to hunting enthusiast Richard Hoeflinger. Big Island Video News.

Brad Bennett, superintendent of the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area, is under investigation by the state Department of Education and is on leave until further notice. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Liquor Director Glenn Mukai said Tuesday that a visit by an FBI agent to its Wailuku offices Monday was a “routine audit” of the department’s fingerprinting operations. Maui News.

The nearly 500-acre Waikapu Country Town project has received unanimous approval from the state Land Use Commission for critical changes. Maui News.

The Paia relief route, Kihei collector road and Hana Highway bridges are among the major projects vying for a share of $124 million in funding over the next four years. Maui News.

Kauai

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Navy conducted a missile test off Kauai early Wednesday, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Occupiers remain at Coco Palms. Garden Island.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in the U.S. Conference of Mayors 86th Winter Meeting. The mayor met with federal agencies and the Congressional delegation to discuss priorities for the County of Kauai. Garden Island.

DLNR considers allowing feral pig hunting on Kauai's Sleeping Giant mountain. Hawaii News Now.

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