Learn from field-tested experts, review drill frequency, pursue missile defense

In the wake of the false ballistic missile alert and the 38 minutes of panic and confusion that followed, the most important task before us is restoring the public trust in government.

The multiple investigations being conducted at the state and federal level are the foundation for earning public confidence. The people deserve more than an apology and an explanation. They need to see thorough and transparent investigations that address the array of issues created by this incident.

Accountability and ownership of the proposed solutions are paramount.

In situations like these, where we look to find better processes and procedures, we should call upon subject matter experts. I would hope the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to people like Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim, who has managed the response to disasters during his long and exemplary career in emergency management.

We must glean every insight we can from the investigation and begin the process of putting an alert system in place that performs flawlessly in all situations.

The Department of Defense (DOD), through the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), might be the validator the public would accept since the military would necessarily know if a missile had been fired or not. Whether or not PACOM should have a role as a validator with respect to military alerts should be considered.

Another concern raised during my conversation with Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, was the high frequency of testing, which may increase the probability of a mistake. Finding the right balance is the key.

These are the types of issues we must investigate.

The Jan. 13 false alert in no way changes our position regarding the operationalization of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai. Congress has addressed this issue and authorized the siting of a Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Hawaii. The LRDR program is a key component of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s multi-tiered strategy to defend against a ballistic missile attack. The Navy is currently conducting the necessary assessments.

In 2010, the last time the DOD completed a Nuclear Posture Review, the U.S. was focused on moving away from nuclear proliferation:

“[T]he role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security and military strategy has been reduced significantly in recent decades, but further steps can and should be taken at this time.”

Today, the U.S. and other nations have returned to nuclear brinkmanship. The downside is a heightened awareness that what used to be an unlikely event is now possible. North Korea has become the focus in large part due to President Donald Trump’s interaction with Kim Jong Un.

However, if we look at the nuclear powers, Russia is really the issue and diplomacy has worked well to keep Russia and other nuclear nations in check. North Korea being at odds due to the Trump-Kim interaction only highlights the continuing need for diplomacy.

We are encouraged to see President Moon of South Korea and Kim Jong Un of North Korea talk about a unified presence in the Olympics, perhaps an indication that North Korea is reassessing its posture in a nuclear world.

What we must work toward is to have the public and the tourists who visit Hawaii conclude that the incident of Jan. 13 was not only unfortunate, but absolutely preventable. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the delegation and our federal, state and county partners to return public confidence to our government.