Officials in Hawaii are launching a campaign to help residents plan for a nuclear missile attack from North Korea — much to the dismay of the state’s tourism industry.
The Aloha State’s Emergency Management Agency is kicking off an educational campaign aimed at helping people figure out what to do if strongman Kim Jung Un decides to follow through with his threats, according to Hawaii News Now.
The plan, which will be unveiled in full on Friday, includes Cold War-style evacuation drills for school students and announcements that say “Get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned,” according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
The plan also includes tests of a new emergency siren on the first work day of every month, according to Hawaii News Now.
Tourism officials said the plan could be a blow to one of the state’s most important industries.
“Everyone’s safety in Hawaii is always our top priority,” Charlene Chan, a spokeswoman for the state’s Tourism Authority, said in a statement reported by the Star Advertiser. “However, we also know from speaking to our tourism industry partners that if reports are misinterpreted about the state’s need to prepare for an attack, this could lead to travelers and groups staying away from Hawaii. The effect of such a downturn would ultimately be felt by residents who rely on tourism’s success for their livelihood.”
But Miyagi said the public should simply liken the preparation for a doomsday to the work being done to prepare for hurricanes and tsunamis.
“We don’t know the exact capabilities or intentions of the North Korean government, but there is clear evidence that it is trying to develop ballistic missiles that could conceivably one day reach our state,” Miyagi said.
“Therefore, we cannot wait to begin our public information campaign to ensure that Hawaii residents will know what to do if such an event occurs.”
The hermit nation this month tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, drawing condemnation from the US and other countries.
Experts say such an ICBM could reach Alaska, and possibly even Hawaii, where officials consider a worst-case scenario to be a 15-kiloton nuke detonated 1,000 feet above Honolulu.