HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	77
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting that the United States Pacific Command develop and implement a warning system for AFFECTING THE STATE military-related emergencIES and that the United States Pacific Command be the sole agency responsible for issuing public alerts or warnings relating to military matters AFFECTING THE STATE.

 

 

     WHEREAS, history has shown that Hawaii's isolated yet militarily strategic location makes the State a real target for a military-related attack; and

 

     WHEREAS, to ensure the protection and safety of the State's citizens, it is necessary that citizens be properly and timely informed of any actual military-related threat; and

 

     WHEREAS, under existing law, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is the agency charged with issuing public alerts and warnings in cases of emergency or disaster; and

 

     WHEREAS, on January 13, 2018, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued a false incoming ballistic missile alert warning that caused widespread distress and panic across the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, although the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has explained that the issuance of this warning was the result of human error, the fact remains that the Agency has the capability and authority to issue such a warning despite lacking the necessary resources to detect and confirm that such a military-related threat actually exists; and

 

     WHEREAS, United States Pacific Command is the nearest agency capable of detecting an imminent military-related threat to the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, United States Pacific Command is therefore the appropriate agency to issue statewide public alerts and warnings for any military-related emergency; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that the United States Pacific Command is requested to develop and implement a warning system for military-related emergencies affecting the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body requests that the United States Pacific Command be the sole agency responsible for issuing public alerts or warnings relating to military matters affecting the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commander of the United States Pacific Command and Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Emergency Management; Warnings and Alerts; United States Pacific Command