HI-EMA selects director with Hawaii ties

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, which transmitted a false ballistic missile alert Jan. 13 and underwent a major leadership shake-up, has hired a new executive director with ties to Hawaii.

Luke P. Meyers, a certified emergency manager who most recently worked in the Pacific Northwest, will replace Toby Clairmont, who resigned from the role Jan. 26 as part of the fallout following investigations into what caused the false alert.

The day of the false alert, HI-EMA sent a text alert to most cellphones in the state, saying a missile attack was underway, adding, “This is not a drill.” The mistake wasn’t corrected for 38 minutes, causing widespread panic. The incident, which became an international news story, became the subject of a Federal Communications Commission investigation, a Federal Emergency Management Agency review and a state inquiry and action plan.

Meyers’ hiring follows that of retired U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas Travis, who was appointed to serve as HI-EMA administrator in March. Travis replaced Maj. Gen. Vern Miyagi, who resigned Jan. 30 from his position as administrator of the organization.

“We are proud to have a leader of Luke’s caliber join HI-EMA,” Travis said in a statement. “He brings us the depth of knowledge and experience that will allow us to move with confidence into the next phase of our development and also the proven leadership skills that I believe have the potential to lift us to the next level of performance. ”

Meyers, who graduated from the University of Hawaii, holds a Certified Emergency Manager certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers. He most recently worked for the city of Seattle as a strategic adviser, a role he had since 2015. Most of his jobs have been in the Pacific Northwest, but Meyers did work for Hawaii Civil Defense in 2000.

“I am grateful and excited to have the opportunity to serve as the executive officer for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. I look forward to working with our partners across the state and our team here at HI-EMA to enhance the foundation of our emergency management program and increase the overall level of preparedness in our state,” Meyers said in a statement.