Leadership Equals Accountability

As a former public-sector emergency manager, the instant I learned of the false alarm in Hawaii on Saturday, I strongly suspected I knew the cause.

I certainly considered that an intentional cyberattack may have occurred, but I instead knew that human error was likely the cause. Some years ago, a coworker had inadvertently activated the local severe weather horns/siren network in much the same way. And I knew that the system in Hawaii was likely quite similar to the one we utilized here in Illinois.

This assessment is not ignoring or excusing the issue. This was a serious error, which unnecessarily created a highly emotional and stressful situation for more than a million people. All of us are lucky that there were not actual fatalities or serious injuries as a result. Because while intentions were good, execution was poor. And there will certainly be consequences.

I then watched live as the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator stepped to the microphone and stated "We made a mistake. This is my responsibility, and my team." With those words, Vern Miyagi earned my immediate respect. I've never met him, and I don't know him personally.

But I know that he is both a leader and an emergency manager, in the best sense of both terms.

Because being a leader means taking accountability for your actions and for those of your direct reports. You stand up in front of a room of incensed reporters representing an incensed public, and you take responsibility. And that is precisely what state emergency manager Miyagi did this weekend, with an honesty and forthrightness that most of us have noted to be sorely lacking in many other government officials.

The all-important follow through will be a thorough investigation of the precise cause and chain of events that led to this weekend's errant message. It will then involve adding checks to the alert/notification system without crippling its timeliness - easier said than done.

But perhaps most importantly, the state of Hawaii and its leaders must regain the public's trust. This was a serious mistake, yet it would be an even greater failure to dismantle the state's early warning and notification system because of a single human error. I urge governor David Ige and his office to give Miyagi and his unit the political space and support required to make these vital corrections and improvements.

Hawaii is a truly beautiful place, but it is at serious risk for volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons - and yes - acts of war. Its residents (and tourists) must therefore have the best and most reliable mass-notification system possible, and they must have confidence in its messaging. Simply pulling the plug is unacceptable, and those who were impacted this weekend deserve better.

Because ultimately, Hawaii needs a leader who is willing to take the heat. The kind of person who is willing to do his best, and when that isn't good enough, to step in front of those bright lights and say "this is my responsibility, and my team." And then to get back to work.