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False Incoming Ballistic Missile Alert Scares Hawaii. Aired 2- 2:30a

Aired January 14, 2018 - 02:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CYRIL VANIER, CNN ANCHOR: It was early Saturday morning in Hawaii when this alert went out on cellphones, radios and TVs. Warning of an incoming missile and saying, seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.

For the next 38 minutes people across the U.S. states thought that they were under attack. They ran for cover, seeking shelter anywhere they could, hotels, basements, some even in concrete bunkers. These parents opened a manhole cover and lowered their kids inside the sewer. But in the end, this was all a false alert.

It took more than half an hour, though, for a corrected alert to go out from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Officials now are saying, this all happened because of human error. Hawaii's Governor is also apologizing to the people of his state and he says, "Safeguards are now in place to prevent something like this from ever happening again."

We have more now from Mileka Lincoln of CNN affiliate KHNL in Honolulu, Hawaii.

GOVERNOR DAVID IGE, HAWAII: What happened today was totally unacceptable and many in our community was deeply affected by this, and I am sorry for that pain and confusion that any one might have experienced.

MILEKA LINCOLN, KHNL REPORTER: A somber apology from the Governor as state officials admitted human error was to blame for the false ballistic missile threat alert and then 40 minutes it took for a correction to be issued.

IGE: There was no automated way to send a false alarm cancellation. We had to initiate a manual process and that was why it took a while to notify everyone.

LINCOLN: The mistake happened during a routine test during a shift change at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency in Diamond Head. Officials confirm an employee erroneously sent the warning, which is disseminated to mobile devices cross the state by initially clicking the wrong option during the test, then confirming a subsequent prompt that distributed the mass alert.

VERN MIYAGI, ADMINISTRATOR, HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: There was a screen that says, are you sure you want to do this? OK. I can guess already in place. Now, we had one person human error and that was pushed everywhere (ph).

The employee, reportedly, didn't realize his mistake until he received the emergency alert on his own device. Officials wouldn't say if the employee would be suspended or relieved of his duties. Though, they did confirm everyone will receive counseling and retraining.

As an immediate safeguard to prevent another false alarm, the test that state was conducting has been put on hold and a future alert will require two people.

MIYAGI: I apologize for this. This is my responsibility, my team. But please keep in mind that, again, the threat is there. If this comes out, you're going to have only of 12 to 13 minutes of warning for natural event and please take this to heart.

LINCOLN: Officials say it's imperative that the public's take away from the mistake is they need to be prepared. The Governor said, if it had been a real threat the state siren system would have been activated. They are now investigating reports that some sirens did sound near military bases.

IGE: The sirens should not have gone off. It was not part of this test.

LINCOLN: Officials are also looking into why some mobile carriers never received the mass warning alert that was mistakenly released.

IGE: We want the people to know that we are disappointed and angry that this happened. We do know that everyone on the island was affected in some way. We understand that. We are committed to providing the public with a good notification system.

VANIER: And that report there by Mileka Lincoln of CNN affiliate, KHNL. An investigation is underway and a report on what happened is expected in the coming weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump was playing golf at his resort in Florida when he found out about the incidence.

There are plenty of questions The White House has not yet addressed about how this was handled. CNN'S Boris Sanchez is following the President.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have learned that President Trump was briefed on the issue of the false alarm of missile alert that was sent out to citizens in Hawaii while he was at Trump National Golf Course by his Deputy National Security Advisor, Ricky Waddell. He was traveling with the President here in West Palm Beach.

We've also learned that the President was later briefed by Chief of Staff, John Kelly who is a retired four-star general and by National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster. The White House not confirming, though, exactly when the President knew that this was a false alarm.

We're also still waiting to find out whether any of our partners in the Pacific, whether South Korea, Japan or China were made aware of this alert going out to the people of Hawaii. And if so, what kind of communications they may have had with the White House. We are still pressing for those answers.

In the meantime, The White House did put out this statement, writing, "The President has been briefed on the State of Hawaii's emergency management exercise. This was purely a state controlled exercise."

At least, part of the statement, seems to try to put the onus of this false alarm on the State of Hawaii itself, meaning, that this was not something that the federal government put into effect. Beyond all of that, this is really a reminder of the tensions that currently exist.

Despite the President earlier this week speculating that he may have a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and his praise of direct talks between North and South Korea. This is truly a reminder that we are on the doorstep of danger and potentially nuclear war at any moment.

Boris Sanchez, CNN, traveling with the President in West Palm Beach, Florida.

VANIER: I spoke earlier with Hawaii State Representative, Matthew LoPresti. He and his family were just waking up when the missile alert suddenly came in on his wife's phone. Listen to this.

MATTHEW LOPRESTI, STATE REP. HAWAII:: I was trying to sleep in late and my phone kept ringing, and my wife came in with the alert. So her phone got the alert. Mine didn't. It was my staff calling me.

And took a few second to really realize this was happening. And we leapt into action, grabbed our children. Grabbed some emergency supplies and moved them all to the most innermost room in our house.

VANIER: As the residents of Hawaii, is this something that you live with? That you think, well, this might happen one day? And if so, did you think at that point, well, the day has come?

LOPRESTI: Yes and yes. My role as Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee has been to try to elevate awareness about just this sort of threat, and to make sure that there is resources for Emergency Management Agency in order to plan properly and implement as need be. So it was a rather surreal experience. But we took it very seriously.

VANIER: Matthew LoPresti, Hawaii State Representative was talking with me earlier. It took 14 minutes before he found out it was a false alert. And he found out from a family member who is in the military and who was on duty at the time.

Extending its missile evacuation drills to the Capital, amidst the North Korea nuclear threat, for the first time Central Tokyo is getting ready to practice what to do in case of a missile attack. The drill is schedule for January 22nd.

This was planned before the false missile alert in Hawaii. Japan has the already conducted similar drills across the country, including at this elementary school, which CNN visited just last.

The Israeli Military said it attacked a site in Gaza on Saturday. It reports fighter jets targeted "terror infrastructure" near Gaza's border with Egypt. Earlier in the day, Israel announced that it was closing a nearby border crossing. In a tweet, the military said, Hamas was being held accountable for all activity in Gaza.

Now, people around the world are processing what President Trump's reported insult of Haiti and Africa. Mr. Trump denies using the exact words that were attributed to him. But others who were in the room confirmed that he did, in fact, used that word. His words hit a raw nerve among Miami's Haitian community.

GEPSIE METELLUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAITIAN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER "SANT LA": The American President, who said he would be Haiti's greatest champion by the way, to stand up and make such a comment at this time. It just leaves me reeling. It leaves me angry. It leaves me offended. It leaves me hurt and it leaves me wanting justice.

VANIER: Many Salvadoran immigrants in the U.S. were also irked by the President's vile word that they are even more worried by his actions. The Trump administration is ending special protection for about a quarter million Salvadorans living in the U.S. without Visas. Many of have built lives and raised children. Patrick Oppmann spoke with one family suddenly facing an uncertain future.

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At the end of a dirt road in the mountains of El Salvador is a family facing a gut-wrenching decision. Rogelio Galdamez has lived in United States for the last 17 years. He may soon return here.

The Trump administration announced in January, they're the ending the program that allowed over 200,000 Salvadorans, like Rogelio, to live legally in the U.S. In 18 months he could be deported.

Rogelio worries about impact of the change in policy could have on the already impoverished and crime ridden country. The worry is that if there were a massive deportation, he says, "this would become, I guess, I would it a hell. It's a disaster. Everyone wants to work, but there isn't any."

So Rogelio has come become to El Salvador for few weeks with the money he earns working as a landscaper in New York to finish the home he is building here should he return for good.

So he keeps telling me that, because of many people are thinking that -- along the same lines as him that they might need to come back. It's really hard to (INAUDIBLE) affected are fixing their homes.

But Rogelio's biggest concern is his three children, all born in the United States. His eldest have been to El Salvador just twice. This is six-year-old Josslin's first visit.

What do they know about El Salvador? Rogelio, says, he doesn't want to live in U.S. illegally or run the risk of having his family separated. So he may soon move his children, all U.S. citizens, back to El Salvador, one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Even here in the remote countryside, criminal gangs terrorize the population. Barbed wire fencing surrounds Rogelio's house.

MARELIN GALDAMEZ: For us it's going to be really hard and I keep telling him, I like it here, but I wouldn't live here.

OPPMANN: They may have no choice. Rogelio would hope to provide his children a better life in U.S. But is afraid of what could happen if he is deported.

"The day, I'm not with them and they're not with me, he says, I think, they're going to suffer and I will too." Rogelio drives his children to the airport to fly back to U.S. He will remain in El Salvador a little while longer to finish their home just in case.

They don't know what the future holds, but they say, they will do whatever it takes to stay together. Patrick Oppmann, CNN from Salvador.

VANIER: Still on topic of immigration, the Trump administration says, it is accepting some renewal applications to protect young undocumented immigrant from deportation. The federal government is following a court ruling, which for now, prevents the administration from ending the program known as DACA. Officials say new applications, however, will not be accepted.

And the French President wants a special status for the beloved baguette, not the frozen kind, you find in supermarkets. But the fresh, crunchy one you buy in a grocery (ph) before your meal. The traditional baguette is actually already protected by French law.

It's got to be made with only four ingredients and no preservatives. But it is so quintessentially French and known across the world that Emmanuel Macron wants UNESCO to preserve it as a world heritage.

Last month the UN body made Neapolitan pizza spinning a world heritage. So, President Macron says, why not the baguette. That's it from us. Thanks for watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Cyril Vanier. Marketplace Africa is up next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMO: You are watching "Marketplace Africa" on CNN.

ZAIN ASHER, ANCHOR CNN: Artificial intelligence is all around us and can have significant impact on businesses. But are countries like South Africa adopting these technologies fast enough, we will look at that and more this week in the Marketplace.

Welcome to Marketplace Africa. We cover the biggest economic trends impacting the continent. This week, we are focusing on impact that artificial intelligence in Africa, whether you are doing a web search with Google or asking Siri for directions in iPhone or even getting movie recommendations on the Netflix, you will probably using AI every single day in your personal life.

And in the business world, let me tell you, AI certainly means big money potential. In fact, market intelligence firm Tractica predict global revenue from AI software will grow from $1.4 billion in 2016 to almost $60 billion -- $60 billion by the year 2025.

And with that much growth potential, countries like South Africa are realizing they need to get smarter about artificial intelligence very, very soon. Here's Eleni Giokos with more.

ROMO: Me RoMo, Accenture's most interesting employee (ph).

ELENI GIOKOS, CNNMONEY AFRICA CORRESPONDENT: And what do you do exactly?

ROMO: I try to take over the world. Just kidding. (LAUGHTER)

GIOKOS: Big ambitions for a little guy. But RoMo, the robot is on something artificial intelligence known as AI is disrupting business, and RoMo is helping companies adopt AI solutions in Africa.

So what is artificial intelligence?

ROMO: Artificial intelligence is a collection of advanced technology that allow machines to sense, comprehend, act and learn.

GIOKOS: In this studios global consultancy company Accenture invites businesses to interact with new technologies. From 3D printers to virtual reality, businesses are learning about innovative technologies that could transform their companies.

ROZE PHILLIPS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACCENTURE CONSULTING, AFRICA: So we invite a client here and they ask themselves the question, what if I can use a 3D printer. This is a 3D printer, to be able to print a prototype of a mold that I can use in healthcare?

GIOKOS: Roze Phillips, Managing Director for Accenture Consulting in Africa, says, "While, many countries around the world are riding the AI wave, Africa needs to catch-up.

PHILLIPS: We still have high unemployment, so we are not seeing the economic potential of artificial intelligence.

GIOKOS: According to Accenture, artificial intelligence could add 1% to South Africa's GDP by 2035, with output hitting 4.5%.

One company making its mark globally is Aerobotics. It's a data- focused drone company with AI at the core of its business.

ANDREW BURDOCK, COO, AEROBOTICS: We've built a platform called Aeroview, which allows drone data to be processed and really runs machine learning algorithms that provide analytics to farmers to show problems areas on the phone.

GIOKOS: CEO, James Paterson and COO, Andrew Burdock, say in three years the company acquired more than 100 clients in 11 countries around the world, including the United States, Russia and Australia. And they estimate the AI system can offer farmers a 10% increase in yields by analyzing drone images.

JAMES PATERSON, CEO, AEROBOTICS: There is so much data out there that we just weren't collecting and issues developing on the farm that have such a big impact on the yield at the end of the season were going unnoticed.

GIOKOS: It's not just business that has global AI aspirations, the University of Johannesburg wants to become an educational AI hub in Africa.

TSHILIDZI MARWALA, VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG: We have the largest concentration of people with Ph.D.'s in artificial intelligence. Just the academic staff, we are talking about 10 academic staff members. We are the leading center of artificial intelligence in the continent.

GIOKOS: The University also brought in Professor Qing-Guo Wang from China to help students learn AI business solutions.

PROFESSOR QING-GUO WANG: Medium, small enterprise is important, and they have limited resources, especially they are short of technology. They cannot do AI work by themselves. They are short of fundings.

GIOKOS: Professor Wang and AI students, Adeola Ogunleye came up with this. Its face recognition, but for bottles.

ADEOLA OGUNLEYE, STUDENT, UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG: If you put it in front of the camera like this, so it will detect (INAUDIBLE). A stock keeper doesn't really need to manually go and take stock. When your stock is running out, you can send a message to phone or a computer of a stock keeper. And it takes several photos of the bottle and we train it.

GIOKOS: This can be useful for businessmen like (INAUDIBLE) that partnered with the project.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you are running any, in fact, inventory system -- retail inventory system, especially with kind of hard environment to work in, and you got all these drinks and you want to know what's been drank at the end of the night, and this where it gets really interesting that you could actually train a machine to do this.

Not that humans going to be losing their job. The humans going to do something that's human.

GIOKOS: For some the fear is that AI will take much needed jobs away from people as companies are up for automation. But the RoMo believe he isn't afraid (ph).

Is artificial intelligence really a mean, mean job stealing machine?

ROMO: Not exactly. This technology compliments humans, and it's taking on more sophisticated roles within technology interfaces.

GIOKOS: People-centric jobs could very well be the casualties as AI rises or it could make our lives easier. The outcome of the so called fourth industrial revolution will only going to be clear once AI is in full swing globally. Eleni Giokos, CNN, Johannesburg. ASHER: All right. You just saw there artificial intelligence can really create new opportunities for startups in Africa, but they also need funding. And the man I am going to introduce you to next created a company to do just that. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: All right. Welcome back, everybody. Venture Capital for Africa or VC4A is an organization that connects venture capitalists looking to invest in Africa with qualified startups. Ben White is the Founder. He explains how it kind of started by accident.

BEN WHITE, CO-FOUNDER, CEO, VENTURE CAPITAL FOR AFRICA: My name is Ben White. I am a Co-Founder and CEO of Venture Capital for Africa. There are a lot of Africans who are living outside of the continent who want to be part of the continent's growth story.

It's an exciting place to be, because you see that there is so much goodwill, and there is so much energy that people are really, you know, eager to contribute to this ecosystem, and to see entrepreneurs succeed.

I grew up in Northern New Mexico, the deserts of the Southwest, but quickly had the urge to travel. And then sort of through luck, really, I ended up working on the African Continent. We built Africannews.com as a pan-African news website, which is now part of Euronews.

And then later at some point realized that, great to be building our won ventures, but there is so many entrepreneurs out there who have ideas. We really need to be reaching out to these individuals and understanding what it is that they want to achieve with their venture ideas, and what they've been able to achieve on their own. And where they are running they are running into the challenges.

And so, for ten years, we've been basically connecting as many Founders as part of a single network as possible. We have been working now for the last couple of years to really try and build up an angel investing movement cross the continent.

And where -- just two or three year ago, we had maybe only four groups where individuals had come together and we're investing as an angel investing network. Now there are more than 60.

So this is something that is really starting to catch on and I think is an exciting development. And it's certainly we're not there yet, and there is a lot of work to be done. But this is really a critical piece for us moving forward.

Now we have 60,000 members in a 159 countries, and we are connecting 10,000 startups across 46 African markets. Founders are coming into the VC4 Africa Network to access learning materials, to access mentorship, to be able to fund raise with investors. And we're also connecting with more than 400 ecosystem building partners.

Every two or three weeks, we are graduating a class of 10 to 20 new startups that are again part of this larger network of about 10,000 businesses across 46 African countries. We work with about 2,000 Africa-focused, early-stage investors.

So these are investors that are investing anywhere between -- if it is an individual angel, the U.S. $ 10,000 to upwards of 1.5 million. And 84% of these investors already hold African investments in their portfolio.

So last year, 234 businesses that had participated in sort of an annual benchmarking exercise, 104 of them had secured capital. So that was a 104 transactions in 26 African markets, and that was for U.S. $73 million.

ASHER: All right. Ben White also notes that when it comes to the venture capitalists investments on the continent, Egypt and South Africa tend to have the largest sized transactions. But Nigeria actually sees the most volume.

All right. That's about here on Marketplace Africa. I'm going to leave you with a message with dear friend that you met earlier in the show.

ROMO: Thanks for watching this edition of Marketplace Africa. We will see you next time in the marketplace.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VANIER: Welcome back. I'm Cyril Vanier with another look at