False-missile probe to get ‘fresh pair of eyes,’ Ige says

Gov. David Ige on Monday defended his selection of the state’s deputy adjutant general to lead a probe of last week’s false missile alert and make recommendations for improvements, despite criticism from some lawmakers who contend the official is too close to the situation.

Ige a week ago signed an executive order appointing Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hara to oversee a comprehensive review of the state’s emergency management system. Ige has asked him to provide an initial report in 30 days and a formal report in 60 days.

Hara is second in command at the state Department of Defense, under Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan, the state adjutant general who oversees the Hawaii National Guard and is also director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

It was a civilian warning officer at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency who on Jan. 13 mistakenly broadcast a ballistic missile threat alert that was sent to cellphones across the state.

State Rep. Gene Ward said he believes Hara has a conflict of interest.

“I raise the issue of conflict of interest if you expect the people of Hawaii to believe your final report when it is being written by General Hara, who is too close to the situation at HIEMA, a close personal friend of (HI-EMA Administrator) General (Vern) Miyagi and under the command of General Logan,” Ward wrote in a letter dated Monday to Ige.

Ward (R, Kalama Valley-Queen’s Gate-Hawaii Kai) said that while Hara is “an honorable man,” he doubts his ability to objectively investigate the agency and his superiors.

Ward suggested Ige work with the Legislature to form an investigative panel “to ensure the objectivity of this report and that it is received with the highest credibility.”

“The way it is currently structured,” he added, “looks too incestuous and unobjective.”

Ward said he had wanted to raise the concern about Hara and other unanswered questions during a legislative briefing on the false missile alert held Friday. But lawmakers’ questions were limited during the two-hour hearing, and the governor left early for prior commitments.

Other lawmakers Friday did ask Logan whether Hara was the appropriate choice for the review. Logan said Hara is under the state Department of Defense and not part of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

“But he reports to you. So if he finds some kind of oversight, would it be difficult for him to come to that conclusion, because you’re his boss?” asked Sen. Breene Harimoto (D, Pearl Harbor-Pearl City-Aiea).

“I don’t think Gen. Hara ever hesitates to tell me — I think if I did something wrong, he would be honest,” Logan replied. “He’s a man of integrity. He’s a man of high character, of moral values.”

Ige on Monday addressed the issue during a media availability after his State of the State speech.

“I do believe it’s a fresh pair of eyes,” Ige said Monday. “Gen. Hara hasn’t been involved with Hawaii Emergency Management, and so he will be going in to look at the entire package and see what changes need to be made.”

He added that he’s been seeking input from other experts in emergency response and preparedness.

“But you know, I’ve also outreached to others who are experts in this area. We intend to get the best people to look at the entire response system and help us identify what changes and improvements are required,” Ige said.

Star-Advertiser reporter Kevin Dayton contributed to this report.