Worker Who Sent False Hawaii Missile Alert Fired, Agency Head Resigns

The worker who sent out that false alarm about a missile headed to Hawaii earlier this month has been fired, and the head of the agency he worked for has resigned.

The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday that the worker who sent the alert thought there really was a ballistic missile headed to Hawaii. But that wasn't the first time he'd made that mistake, according to state officials. They say he mistook drills for actual events at least twice before. 

Hawaii's Missile Alert Was False, But The Threat Isn't Inconceivable

Hawaii's Missile Alert Was False, But The Threat Isn't Inconceivable

Residents in Hawaii received a warning about an inbound ballistic missile Saturday. It turned out to be a false alarm.

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Maj. Gen. Arthur Logan, who oversees the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said at a news conference Tuesday that Administrator Vern Miyagi resigned. He also said one person had been fired and another will be suspended without pay.

The FCC had previously said the person who sent that alert wasn't cooperating with their investigation.

The alert he sent out incorrectly told people there was a ballistic missile headed for the islands. That, understandably, caused a panic.